School trustees oversee bigger budgets than your council

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 16, 2014
By Kim Zarzour

They oversee a budget far larger than that of your town council, are among the biggest employers in York Region, and their decisions can determine your child’s day-to-day experiences and future success.

Yet, how familiar are you with the people running for school board trustee?

Trustee candidates seem to get second billing in Ontario municipal elections, overshadowed by council candidates’ headline-grabbing antics and their campaign signs and flyers emblazoned townwide.

But should they?

York Region public school board trustees make decisions with a 2014-15 budget of more than $1.3 billion; the region’s Catholic school board’s budget is $657,504,000.

That’s compared to the Town of Richmond Hill’s budget of $230 million.

Ontario’s English, Catholic and French school board associations think it’s time to shine some light on these elected officials and the job they do. They have collaborated on a website, elections.ontarioschooltrustees.org, to help voters learn more about the candidates they may vote for Oct. 27.

In Richmond Hill, public school supporters are divided into two voting districts: wards 1, 2 and 4 (north and north-west parts of town) will choose between four candidates, while those in wards 3, 5 and 6 (south and south-west) have two candidates from which to select.

Separate school supporters in Richmond Hill can choose two of three candidates vying for votes.

Francophone Catholic supporters vote for a candidate in the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud and public French supporters vote for a trustee to sit on the Conseil scolaire Viamonde.

Here is a brief introduction to some of the trustee candidates. For further information, visit richmondhill.ca

YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Wards 1, 2 and 4

DENNIS BAILEY:

Basic info: Two children, a son and a daughter, 15 and 17, attending York public schools. Lived in Richmond Hill for 11 years and worked in York Region for 20 years.

Education/Profession: I attended high school in Toronto, studied economics at the University of Toronto and York University before attending law school. I have a Juris Doctor degree (formerly known as an LL.B.) from Windsor Law School, completed certificate training in management (Queen’s) and negotiation and mediation (Osgoode, 2014). I am a lawyer, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and for the past 20 years, the executive director of the Community Legal Clinic of York Region.

Key Issues: I believe in accountability. For example, there are too few controls on trustees’ allowed expenses. Parental involvement should be more than just a slogan. Poor communication between school councils frustrates parental participation. All parents, not just those of children in the host school, should be told in advance about board workshops and speakers (paid for by the taxpayer) on bullying, cyber safety, special education, etc. I believe in real equity, not lip service. Trustees must approach policy discussions with a human rights lens. This will allow for greater inclusivity of the diverse student communities we serve. But the biggest deficit on the board is a lack of new and practical ideas.

Community Involvement: In 1999 I was a volunteer member of York Region’s Task Force on Homelessness. In 2007 I was founding chair of the Social Planning Council of York Region. I organized York Region’s first public roundtable on poverty in 2003 and as a volunteer, co-organized the provincial consultation on women’s health for York Region in Richmond Hill (2012). I co-organized a public forum on educational issues in York in 2008. I was one of the founding members of the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness and its sub-committee to build York Region’s first single women’s shelter (Belinda’s Place). I’ve been an invited speaker on poverty and education at the YRDSB’s Quest and R.I.S.E Equity conferences. I volunteered as a Scout leader, minor hockey official and Sunday school teacher, been on the boards of many non-profit organizations ranging from youth services to womens’ shelters to environmental protection. I’ve written materials for United Way Canada on board governance and given advice to many York Region charities and non-profits on governance issues. I have volunteered with the United Way of York Region in several roles.

Contacts: http://BaileyforTrustee.blogspot.ca; 905-773-6353 and baileyfortrustee@gmail.com

AMANDA GINSBERG

Basic info: Married, two children in the York public school system, lives in Ward 4, Richmond Hill.

Education/Profession: Attended Thornhill Secondary School and Thornlea Secondary. Honours degree in law & society and sociology from York University. Stay-at-home mom, chair of school council.

Key Issues: Appropriate budget allocation through budget reviews, to ensure funds are predominantly directed toward classrooms. We need to gain a better understanding of the goals of standardized testing, the process details and ensure implementation is seamless. From a comprehensive approach to learning (which includes computer literacy and financial literacy), to mental and physical health, student achievement and holistic well-being must be a priority. Of particular concern are contract negotiations. Public education cannot be successful unless our students and our educational professionals are provided with the tools, resources and support they require to flourish.

Community Involvement: Chair of school council for three years, I have been active in my school community for six years. In addition to being an executive member of council, I am also a volunteer who reads with students, goes on field trips and offers an in-class extra pair of hands, plus board member of the King City Skating Club, Oak Ridges Skating Club and support Habitat for Humanity and Girl Guides of Canada.

Contacts: 647-618-8317, amandaginsberg@rogers.com, amandaginsberg.com

CORRIE McBAIN

Basic info: Married with four children ranging in age from elementary to high school, Oak Ridges resident for 15 years.

Education/Profession: Two post-secondary degrees from the University of Western Ontario: double major in chemistry & biology, HBSc, chemical engineering, BEngSc.Worked for several years in research and engineering, now in the application process for professional engineering designation (PEng). Provide leadership roles on Richmond Hill High School parent council and community member appointment on the Equity & Inclusivity Advisory Committee at York public board, tutoring of elementary in math, co-ordination of annual robotics club, collaboration with teachers to incorporate nutrition cooking classes in Grade 8 health.

Key Issues: Effective use of tax dollars throughout the system, including properties; Mental health of students; Special Education; Declining skills in math, which will ultimately impact sciences.

Community Involvement: Involved in the community for more than eight years in the following positions: Elementary School Council - communications, fundraising, playground project, chair. (2006 - 2014); Math Tutor - weekly for the last 2 years, grades 5 and 6; Robotics instructor - 4 years (2010-2012, 2014); Coordinator of You’re the Chef (2012 - present); Parent, Family & Community Engagement Advisory Committee (2012-13); Equity & Inclusivity Advisory Committee (2012 - present); and current High School Parent Council co-chair.

Contacts: 416-219-7426 or www.corriemcbain.com

JOHN SICILIANO

Basic info: Single, 29, resident of Ward 1.

Education/Profession: Attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Maple, Seneca College studying IT, electronics engineering and programming. Current occupation is centered around IT.

Key Issues: Ensuring children have the resources available to learn properly. The funding has to be there as well. My hope is to promote a system of fairness and to ensure that students are successful in their studies and there is a connection between school and home to ensure no one is left behind.

Community Involvement: In the past two years I’ve volunteered at several charities including helping students with homework, troubleshooting PCs at these charities and tutoring.

Contacts: 416-803-0428 or jfsicili@gmail.com.

YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD  Wards 3, 5 and 6

CAROL CHAN

Basic info: Member of Richmond Hill community for 25 years.

Education/Profession: Principal of full-day Kindergarten and supervisor of daycare centre in Hong Kong. Daycare assistant supervisor in Toronto and founding principal of Bayview Saturday Chinese School of York school board International Languages program. Currently, I am a registered ECE teacher and IBI therapist.

Community Involvement: In 2004, I received an Award in Education Achievement from York Region in Celebration of Women.

As the incumbent trustee, I’ve been involved in 10 committees: bylaw and policy advisory (chair), budget advisory, property management, special education advisory, program and curriculum advisory, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, equality and inclusivity advisory, parents, family and community engagement advisory, trustee code of conduct inquiries, eco team - health and safe schools and workplace, alternate board of directors’ member of Ontario Public School Boards Association, alternate member of program of OSPBA.

Key Issues: I strongly believe rebuilding a positive relationship with teachers’ union and regaining the public trust are the highest priority. As well, I wish to highlight character matters education; ensure more effective and better allocation of education funding; raise awareness for students’ mental/emotional health; motivate students to inspire learning, from improvement of full-day Kindergarten to Grade 12 through inquiry-based learning approach; and upgrade the curriculum and program of mathematics and international languages program.

Contacts: 416-953-2738, carolchan138@yahoo.ca, www.votecarolchan.com

NAZY MIR ABDOLBAGHI

Basic info: Married with three children (two have graduated), resides in Ward 6

Education/Profession: High school in Iran. Teaching school graduate, B.A. in child psychology; administrative and accounting college degree; taken courses for speech therapist to help children with autism (my youngest son is autistic). Not working at the moment. In the past I’ve held the following positions: teacher, social worker, customer representative in financial institution and worked as a community advocator.

Key Issues: Student safety is my first priority; I give this job full-time availability, to be the voice of the community and parents, students and school staff; making sure newcomers are familiar with our education system and how it works; and celebrating cultural diversity.

Community Involvement: Had three kids at a very young age and was involved in their schools’ meetings and committees. Participated in community meetings, member of women’s organization and member of the board, supporting and fundraising in different organizations.

Contacts: www.nazymir.com, 416-564-3744 or nazymir@hotmail.com

York Catholic District School Board (elect two)

DOMINIC MAZZOTTA

Education/Profession: AQ Instructor - Ontario Institute for Studies in Education; bachelor of arts and masters degree in educational administration, University of  Toronto; former administrator and educator with York Catholic school board.

Key Issues: Preserving Catholic education; promoting student success; providing safe and secure schools; upholding parent and parish involvement; maintaining financial accountability and transparency; upgrading technology for 21st century learning.

Community Involvement: Incumbent trustee, 2010 to 2014, chairperson of the labour relations committee, vice-chair of surplus asset review committee, and music committee, member of board policy review committee, safe school committee, mental health and advisory steering committee, Knights of Columbus - Vanier Council and Richmond Hill Arts committee member.

Contacts: dominic4trustee@rogers.com or 416-617-9289.

ANN STONG

Basic info: Resident of Richmond Hill for 40 years. Mother of four children educated in York Catholic schools, grandmother of two, the eldest started JK this year.

Education/Profession: Worked as an RN in hospital for two years, attended Queen’s University for bachelor of science in nursing. Worked for seven years as community health nurse in York Region visiting schools daily. School board trustee for 17 years.

Key issues: Adapting programs to address changes in the way students learn and what they need to know to contribute to society; financial management is essential to ensure no dollar goes to waste, ensuring students receive the resources they need to succeed and funds are channeled into the classrooms; trustees must lobby for adequate funding for our programming and capital needs.

Community Involvement: In 1987, I realized there was no Catholic high school in Richmond Hill for 1,500 students. After petitioning our board to no avail, I organized a parents group. St. Theresa of Lisieux and Jean Vanier Catholic High Schools are the result of our efforts. I have canvassed for Heart and Stroke Foundation from 1987 to 2000 and for the Canadian Cancer Society for 38 years. I am currently a member of the Catholic Women’s League and volunteered for Silent Children’s Mission for two years.

Contacts: 905-884-7025 or electannstong@gmail.com

MIKE RIZZI (did not provide information) Contacts: 905-883-1333, 416-749-8496, 905-883-8116

Conseil scolaire Viamonde (public French): Rene Laurin and Francois Guerin

Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud (French Catholic): Kathleen Beal, Sawsan Armanious, Caroline Bourret

CAROLINE BOURRET:

Basic info: Born and raised in Québec, studied at the Automotive Business School of Canada in Barrie and graduated in 1995. Moved to Markham in 2009. Worked in the automotive industry until 2014 when she started her own automotive consulting agency. Married with children.

Key Issues: Limited capacity and accessibility: many families have kids that commute up to two hours daily to their closest French school; need for increased funding to update classes to new technologies and eliminate rotation within classes; promotion of better French-language support for families with special needs kids.

Community Involvement: Volunteers at schools, food bank and kids sports clubs

Contact: 647-801-6463 or caroline.bourret@gmail.com