The following are candidates' responses to the following questions: Incumbents only: With School District 43's recent difficulties, which resulted in $13.4 million in cost cutting, and a forensic audit noting lack of control and monitoring resulted in a deficit in 2012/'13, why should anyone vote for you, an incumbent who was on the board when it happened? To non-incumbents only: If you are elected, what issue would you bring to the board's attention? To all: What is your reason for running for school trustee? Also: Do you think there is enough transparency about what goes on in the school district? If not, how would you change it?
Business owner, lives in Coquitlam
Expertise to offer board: advocacy
Endorsement: CUPE
Why run: "I have two kids in school, one in middle and one in elementary. I see things that are wrong. You can complain all you want about it [but] if you want some change or betterment, you have to step up to the plate and take a swing at it."
What issue: "Underfunding. [The provincial government] has to know that wages, pensions and benefits have all increased, so when is the last time they increased the funding formula for this district? As far as I know, they are $500 under for each student."
Transparency: "I don't think there's enough transparency and that's evident [With the] financial audit, they said they put out what they are obligated to - just put it on your website and make it available to the public."
