CANDIDATE PROFILE: Katherine Gulley

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

I think the issue is funding overall. Per-student funding has been frozen for two years, at just over $9,000, while operating costs rise. With Kamloops experiencing a decline in enrolment, and with that decline spread out over many schools, the financial impact is significant. Academic, trades, sports and arts programs, in addition to learning resources and required maintenance and other costs throughout the district, are impacted. The issue isn’t simply capital needs, or additional CEAs or counsellors for students — the issue is the lack of appropriate funding for the school district to operate properly and for students and teachers to succeed.

Obviously, elected trustees must continue to fight for needed funding. It would be a good idea to collaborate with other school districts to form a united voice in that advocacy, much like the BC Urban Mayors’ Caucus, which was created in the aftermath of the pandemic to coordinate recovery and policy efforts and give weight to a collective voice to the provincial government. There may also be opportunities locally, possibly with partnerships that help fill the gaps, while still adhering to collective agreements.

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

It would be their mental health and sense of safety in an ever-changing world. I would like to leverage clinical insights to strengthen student supports and focus on inclusion in terms of ensuring that all children and youth find a place to be and feel safe and comfortable at school. I would like to examine how we are allocating resources via supports for kids. I think that teachers are dealing with a lot, so I would be advocating for more support staff and, possibly, more collaboration with the community in supporting the mental health of children and youth. That is my focus, as it aligns deeply with what I specialize in, in my clinical counselling career — supporting and advocating for children and youth dealing with trauma and adversity, mental health issues and neurodiversity.

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?

Like any organization, there can always be improvement in communication. SD73 has had a rough recent stretch, with the budget accounting error, the severance paid to the former treasurer and the departure of the former superintendent under cloudy circumstances. I understand there are restrictions on commenting on personnel matters, but even letting the public know what is happening and why certain matters cannot be commented on is helpful communication. There should be a clear, easy-to-find and heavily publicized page on the SD73 website that is constantly updated with vital information. I think a daily or weekly newsletter to which people can subscribe would be beneficial. I understand the school district is in the process of hiring a director of communications. Perhaps the person filling that role can bring in those actions and/or more ideas to help create clear communication channels. I believe trustees should be able to speak to their votes on the record, with a caveat that there are certain matters where that is legally prohibited. And, regardless of a trustee’s vote, it needs to be understood that once a motion passes, the entire board, regardless of individual votes, needs to stand behind that decision as a cohesive unit.

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?

As I mentioned in the previous answer, it has been a rocky road recently for the district — and that is going to happen now and then with organizations dealing with a budget larger than the City of Kamloops’, navigating a geographical area larger than many countries and addressing diverse needs in urban and rural schools. I would use my experience as a clinical counsellor in helping to engage conversations around the board table and throughout the administration. I do think that, as representatives of the public and the district, we must ensure that our decisions and practices are in alignment with the values of safety and inclusivity.

Why should residents give you their vote?

There are 16 candidates vying for five seats. Among this field of 16, I believe I bring a unique skillset to the race, one that will be a valuable, and essential, addition to the SD73 board of education table, particularly in 2026, when addressing the mental health of students has never been more important. I also think it is healthy to add new voices and perspectives to the discussion. A refresh can lead to ideas and solutions and pilot projects that would otherwise not see the light of day among groups that have not been challenged with novel viewpoints.

by CFJC Today

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Katherine Gulley

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