CANDIDATE PROFILE: Troylana Manson

I’m running because I believe I have a perspective to contribute. I want student and staff wellness taken seriously, and I want the voices of parents, students and frontline staff to help inform decisions.

I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to learn, ask questions and follow the evidence. I believe good governance starts with listening.

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

I believe one of the biggest challenges is making sure our priorities and resources translate into meaningful results for students and staff. We have dedicated people working hard, but we need to understand where gaps exist and whether the supports in place are meeting the needs we see.

As a trustee, I would ask questions, listen to those closest to the issues, examine the evidence and push for clear goals and ways to measure progress. When something isn’t working, we need to understand why and have a plan to address it. We owe students and families more than good intentions; we owe them thoughtful decisions and accountability.

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

For me, it’s student wellness and access to support. A child doesn’t leave mental health struggles, family stress, trauma or worries at the school door. These things affect learning, belonging and safety, and they affect the staff trying to help.

I want the Board to look at prevention and early intervention, listen to students and families, and strengthen connections with community agencies where appropriate. Schools can’t solve every social challenge, but we can ask whether students are getting the right support at the right time. Student wellness isn’t separate from learning; it helps make learning possible.

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?

Communication has to be more than sending information out. People need to feel their concerns have been heard, that the answers are understandable, and that there is a meaningful response when something isn’t working.

Parents and community members should feel comfortable approaching a trustee and raising concerns. Communication also needs to respect privacy, confidentiality and the rules that govern the Board’s work.

As a trustee, I would be as open as I can be about Board decisions and the reasoning behind them, while respecting my obligations as a Board member. I recognize that trustees make decisions collectively, and there are limits to what an individual trustee can discuss publicly.

I believe public trust is built through respectful communication, consistency and accountability. People deserve to have their concerns taken seriously, even when I cannot share every detail or provide the answer they were hoping for.

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?

Stability starts with trust, and trust has to be earned. Staff need to feel safe raising concerns, families need confidence in the district, and the community needs to know that concerns are taken seriously and appropriate processes are followed.

I would focus on respectful leadership, clear expectations, reliable financial reporting and strong oversight. I would ask questions, seek evidence and work with the other trustees to ensure we learn from past difficulties rather than simply move on from them. We can’t change the past, but we can be honest about what it teaches us and use that knowledge to do better.

Why should residents give you their vote?

I bring 25 years of classroom experience, a deep concern for student and staff wellness, and a willingness to listen to perspectives that may not always reach the Board table.

I’m approachable, I’m curious, and I’m prepared to learn. I will listen to parents, students, staff and community members, examine the evidence, and ask how our decisions affect the people we serve. I won’t promise easy answers or pretend I can make decisions alone. I’m one of nine trustees, and I understand that effective governance means working together toward shared goals.

I’m running because I care about what happens to our students and the people who support them. I want to listen, learn, ask the right questions and help move SD73 toward better outcomes.

by CFJC Today

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Troylana Manson

Our Community