It has been an interesting couple of days as a candidate. Yesterday I attended a rally for a Middle School to be built in the community of Rocky Ridge. Many passionate parents braved the cold to share their views and listen to speeches. It was clear from the speech of the community Vice President Jeff Walker, that many parents felt the Calgary Board of Education was to blame for dropping the community in the school rankings. Then came the area MLA Sandra Jansen, who spoke very well about knowing the area's youth was growing and that she would advocate for a school for them recognizing there are budget constraints. Then it was on to area Trustee Joy Bowen Eyre. She spoke about advocating for all schools and a new methodology for school ranking would be rolled out very soon. A policy that was conceived and voted on in a private trustee meeting. Many questions were asked of the Trustee and many people were frustrated that they didn't get answers and that their trustee did not say she was going to bat for them.
Today, 5 passionate parents from the Lakeview and Westgate areas spoke at the CBE Trustee meeting about a Community Engagement process over moving grade 5 and 6 children into a middle school as well as French and Spanish bilingual elements. Many spoke about not being heard and that they hoped Trustees would intervene and go to bat for them. Most importantly, they had good solid ideas on how to arrive at a better decision and they felt they were ignored.
2 opposite scenarios with common feelings.
I am reminded how I started down this road to becoming a candidate for Public School Trustee for Wards 5 and 10. The frustration of speaking to CBE administration that all parents felt, from both Belfast Elementary and Mayland Heights Elementary, during the program closure process. The idea that you are not being heard and that a decision has already been made is a feeling I have felt and heard in every process I have come into contact with. When I consulted with parents at Roland Michener the following year, I asked a question to which every hand rose in the air. "How many of you feel you are being sold something here?", I asked. In end, both school's were saved, but after a lot of angst, frustration, uncertainty and lack of representation from our elected officials.
What these processes, rallies and speeches point out to me, more than anything, is that no matter who can solve the problem, who caused the problem and what the problem is, one must first listen. Listen to concerns, listen to questions, answer the questions, listen to possible solutions, give those solutions some respect and share them all to make the best decision possible for everyone involved.
Today, 5 passionate parents from the Lakeview and Westgate areas spoke at the CBE Trustee meeting about a Community Engagement process over moving grade 5 and 6 children into a middle school as well as French and Spanish bilingual elements. Many spoke about not being heard and that they hoped Trustees would intervene and go to bat for them. Most importantly, they had good solid ideas on how to arrive at a better decision and they felt they were ignored.
2 opposite scenarios with common feelings.
I am reminded how I started down this road to becoming a candidate for Public School Trustee for Wards 5 and 10. The frustration of speaking to CBE administration that all parents felt, from both Belfast Elementary and Mayland Heights Elementary, during the program closure process. The idea that you are not being heard and that a decision has already been made is a feeling I have felt and heard in every process I have come into contact with. When I consulted with parents at Roland Michener the following year, I asked a question to which every hand rose in the air. "How many of you feel you are being sold something here?", I asked. In end, both school's were saved, but after a lot of angst, frustration, uncertainty and lack of representation from our elected officials.
What these processes, rallies and speeches point out to me, more than anything, is that no matter who can solve the problem, who caused the problem and what the problem is, one must first listen. Listen to concerns, listen to questions, answer the questions, listen to possible solutions, give those solutions some respect and share them all to make the best decision possible for everyone involved.
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