Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

CIVIC ELECTION

SD73 District Parent Advisory Council forum gives public a taste of candidates’ stances on important issues

Sep 29, 2022 | 1:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Wednesday night (Sept. 28), ten candidates for School District 73 took part in the District Parent Advisory Council All Candidates forum. The candidates are vying for the five Kamloops spots on the nine-seat school board. Close to 80 people attended the event.

“It was nice to see so many people out here, and we had a lot of questions directed our way,” DPAC Chair Chris Ponti explained. “I think the event was a great success and I think that had a lot to do with the great volunteers we had tonight.”

Ten candidates — three incumbents and seven newcomers — took to the mic to share their platforms and answer questions about the crucial issues facing the distinct in the four years ahead. Candidates were given limited time to address a variety of topics, including capital funding:

“I’d really like to engage city council much more in having them come to the table and lobby with us,” Kathleen Karpuk, one incumbent trustee told the crowd, “because if we don’t have the overt… explicit support of our city council and neighbouring communities, this is an issue; we won’t get schools.”

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Catchment changes and schools operating over capacity:

“Gym space — how do we split up that place? How do we remove a field to put up a portable?” Jimmy Johal asked. “Catchment changes don’t always help everybody, but they give our children that safe space so they can find their passion.”

And of course, the inclusion of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) 1 2 3 in BC’s current curriculum.

“For people to be attacked because of their gender identity, or because of their sexuality, or their race or religion is wrong,” former city councillor and current board member John O’Fee said. “Schools have to be a safe space for all students, including gay students. And if you think you don’t have them in your school, then you’re just deluding yourself. They’re there, and deserve to be treated with the same respect as everybody else.”

There was an incident that resulted in the removal of one attendee, who caused a disturbance seemingly over the answers the candidates provided on SOGI 1 2 3. RCMP were called, however, there is no indication they plan to follow up at this time.

For DPAC Chair Chris Ponti, capital funding remains the number one issue he wants the incoming trustees to focus on. For him, the forum was just a taste of what each candidate stands for.

“In terms of concrete solutions, we didn’t get any of that,” Ponti said after the event. “But we got an idea of who [the candidates] are, and that can help us vote.”