I'm a father of three children, two of whom are in OCDSB schools and my son will start JK in September 2011.
That means I will have a child in a school in the Board for the next 13 years! So I am more than motivated - on a personal level - to be involved in the decisions made at the Board table.
But my seeking election is of course more than just a personal interest.
To me, the opportunity to serve with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board means contributing something tangible and positive toward the education of our children – something that benefits not only individuals, but the larger community, now and in the future. This requires a strong commitment to ensuring we provide our young people with the absolute best educational resources possible.
My commitment also extends to building better lines of communication with our Parent Councils. These groups are the lifelines to the educational communities. I have some ideas about how to improve these connections.
I am also deeply concerned about local control of education-related decisions being taken away from those of us who live and work in our community and given to staff at Queen's Park. If elected, I will do everything in my power to prevent further erosion of local decision-making powers. Part of this will be to use various ways to bring Board business closer to the members of the Community.
I will not vote in favour of closing schools. There are other ways to make up for declining enrollment and aging school. We must be more innovative!
Finally, in these days of budget-cutting and efficiency-finding, it seems to me that the duplication of education services is an ideal place to find savings and reduce the need to close schools; schools that are important parts of our communities. Why four Boards of Education?
Please help me help public education in Ottawa. Link to or Tweet about this site - or contact me if you want to help in any other way.
And, of course, every dollar helps:
Zone 6, OCDSB - click to enlarge
Promo material: check!
Signs ready: check!
Two events lined up for tomorrow: check!
Done my stretches: check!
iPhone powered up so I can Tweet on the go: check!
Well then, on y va!
PS: big kudos to Laser Zone Print and Copy on Bank St. Great to see customer service still means something to someone!
Marshall for OCDSB Trustee 