ACCLAIMED CANDIDATE PROFILE: Bronwen Bird

Even with the move from Grand Forks, I chose to remain on the Board in SD51 to avoid the expenses and disruption of a byelection with only two years left in the term. I decided to run for trustee in 2018 as a way to contribute in a positive and meaningful way to my community.

I strongly believe in good public education for our kids so running for school trustee made sense. Eight years later I still feel the same way and knew that I wanted to contribute in the same way to my new community of Barriere.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the SD73 and how would you use your elected position to address it?

I believe the biggest issues facing SD73 are issues that are being faced by most school districts in BC: ensuring adequate funding for daily operations as well as capital projects and having adequate levels of support staff such as Education Assistants, Counsellors, and Speech Language Pathologists.

In regards to funding, continued advocacy to the provincial government is essential. All school districts are represented by the BC School Trustee Association (BCSTA) which is our partner is advocating to the provincial government.

I would ensure that we continue to leverage that partnership with BCSTA. In regards to support staff levels, I’m so pleased to see that SD73 now has a CEA In-House Certification Program. I believe this is a great program, and I would continue to look at ways that we can expand on these types of programs.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing students and how would you address it?

This a great question, and one that I don’t have an answer for yet, because I look forward to hearing directly from students. In SD51 where I am currently a trustee we have a strong belief in the value of student voice. We have student trustees that attend our board meetings and are allowed to provide their input on certain topics.

These student trustees are also on the District Student Advisory Committee where they bring forth concerns and ideas that are presented to the School Board.

I hope that I can be a trustee representative for SD73’s District Student Advisory Council Committee because I strongly believe that students should play an active part in their educational experience.

What are your thoughts on communication between SD73, its schools and the region’s residents? As a trustee, would you speak to your votes and decisions on the record?

From what I have seen, I think SD73 is doing a good job with its communications, but I acknowledge that there is always room for improvements. It is great to see that all board meetings, as well as other meetings and videos, are posted to the SD73 YouTube channel so that they are accessible for anyone to watch.

The Board Notes which summarize the board meeting are also available on the SD73 website and are a great resource to become familiar with the key points from the last meeting. Trustees also play a role in communicating and connecting with their constituents.

I look forward to connecting with parents, caregivers, teachers, and others in the Barriere community and answer their questions to the extent that I can.

In regards to speaking to my votes and decisions, I would support the majority decision of the Board and refer questions to the Board Chair as our chief spokesperson.

Following a term highlighted by allegations of bullying and harassment by its former superintendent and a $2.2 million budget shortfall, how would you use your position to bring stability to the school district?

In my role as school trustee in SD51 we also faced circumstances that brought a level of instability within the district. COVID-19 was an incredibly challenging time for everyone, and we also went through the process of closing a school which created tensions between the board and that community.

Throughout those challenging times I found that what our communities wanted was open and honest communication. And when information could not be shared due to confidentiality, it was important to be clear and transparent about why certain information could not be shared.

I believe that a commitment to transparency and accountability, which is then shown through our words and actions, is important to reestablishing stability in SD73.

Why should residents give you their vote?

As an acclaimed trustee there will be no election for the Barriere-Little Fort area. I look forward to being a strong voice for my community and to working with the new SD73 Board of Education.

by CFJC Today

ACCLAIMED CANDIDATE PROFILE: Bronwen Bird

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