Who are they and what do trustee candidates think of current School District 43 issues?
The following information about Port Moody candidates is derived from a survey supplied by The Tri-City News to give voters more information leading up to the civic election on Oct. 20.
Ryan Froese
Age: 41
Occupation: realtor
Campaign funding: self-funding, friends/associates
Previous community service: Anmore village councillor
Do you support the board of education taking a lead role in creating daycare spaces in schools, and why?
Yes, we need to have safe areas for our kids.
Do you support the use of SOGI 123 curriculum in schools to support the inclusion of LGBTQ+2 youth, and why?
I'm inclusive of everyone
Do you support trustee trips to China paid for by the Chinese government through cultural grants from the Confucius Institute, and why?
These funds consist of 10% of the annual budget ($35 million). We can allocate these students to keep enrolment up in under-utilized schools
Do you support the expenditure of $36 million for a new school board building, and why?
We need to keep up with the growth demands. I also have ideas on how to best budget for future capital cost and ways we can save on future school sites.
What do you hope to accomplish as a school trustee?
To Identify and secure the best future school sites to meet our growth demands in Port Moody. We have thousands of more residents coming, and not enough schools.
Email: [email protected]
SHAUNDA MOORE
Age: 44
Occupation: wife, mother of five and small business owner
Campaign funding: self-funded
Previous community service: actively involved in my children's school's for 15 years, serving on PACs and being involved with many events and committees.
Do you support the board of education taking a lead role in creating daycare spaces in schools, and why?
Yes, I believe that any way we can create collaborative environments for our youth to remain in school to provide them with more opportunities for their futures is a must. Every child should have the opportunity to go to school regardless of their circumstances.
Do you support the use of SOGI 123 curriculum in schools to support the inclusion of LGBTQ+2 youth, and why?
I support all education around health, wellness, safety and all information and issues facing our LGBTQ+2 youth. Education, enquiry, kindness and compassion with an emphasis on gaining understanding need to be cornerstones of these conversations.
Do you support trustee trips to China paid for by the Chinese government through cultural grants from the Confucius Institute, and why?
I am unsure as to why they are necessary and not certain that there is not a conflict of interest.
Do you support the expenditure of $36 million for a new school board building, and why?
I would be interested to see how the decision was made and finalized, and why operating funds would be used for a capital expense.
What do you hope to accomplish as a school trustee?
I will have an open-door policy and offer a voice for our children and families. I want to ensure we are providing a safe and stimulating and inclusive environment where all children will thrive. It's essential to invest resources into health, wellness and safety starting in grade 1.
Phone: 604-864-1881
Email: [email protected]
Website: shaundamoore.com
Facebook: Shaunda Moore for School Trustee SD43
Instagram: moore.shaunda
NANCY OWENS
Age: 45
Occupation: marketing coordinator
Campaign funding: self-funded, friends, family
Previous community service: community and school volunteer who has a passion for community engagement, and a lifelong commitment to public education
Do you support the board of education taking a lead role in creating daycare spaces in schools, and why?
Yes. Most of my friends are SD43 parents, and I have heard from many that child care/daycare is a big issue. If elected, I look forward to learning more about this matter and finding ways to address these concerns.
Do you support the use of SOGI 123 curriculum in schools to support the inclusion of LGBTQ+2 youth, and why?
Yes, in general, I am very supportive of any initiative that promotes inclusivity and celebrates diversity.
Do you support trustee trips to China paid for by the Chinese government through cultural grants from the Confucius Institute, and why?
I feel it would be premature to state my opinion on this. But I am committed to learning more about this topic — and I welcome any input people have to offer.
Do you support the expenditure of $36 million for a new school board building, and why?
At this point, I don't have all the facts, so I am reluctant to form a formal position. However, from what I do know, a new school board building is much needed and there may be designated money put aside to build it.
What do you hope to accomplish as a school trustee?
I hope to build relationships both within the district and with partner groups. I commit to doing more than my share and to working hard to ensure all members of our school communities feel heard and understood. As an SD43 volunteer, and a mom of three kids in the district, I understand that when school community members (teachers, staff, families) feel heard, supported and represented, true progress can be made — and the kids of SD43 will benefit.
Phone: 604-836-9179
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: NancyOwensSD43SchoolTrusteePortMoody
Twitter: @PoMoNancyO
LISA PARK
Age: 38
Occupation: Burnaby School District teacher and Port Moody trustee
Campaign funding: individual donors
Previous community service: Port Moody school trustee
Do you support the board of education taking a lead role in creating daycare spaces in schools, and why?
I strongly support the board of education taking a lead role in creating daycare spaces in schools. Families in SD43 are experiencing a daily crisis in trying to access quality affordable early childhood education. Currently, only about 20% of families with young children have access to licensed child care.
Do you support the use of SOGI 123 curriculum in schools to support the inclusion of LGBTQ+2 youth, and why?
I strongly support the use of SOGI 123 curriculum in schools to support the inclusion of LGBTQ + 2 youth. Every time I go into the classroom and see my students from all walks of life, I’m reminded of how every single one of them deserves fairness and opportunities.
Do you support trustee trips to China paid for by the Chinese government through cultural grants from the Confucius Institute, and why?
I don’t support trustee trips to China paid for by the Chinese government through cultural grants from the Confucius Institute.
Do you support the expenditure of $36 million for a new school board building, and why?
We need a new school board building but I don’t support the expenditure of $36 million for a new school board building. We need to look at other sites and options.
What do you hope to accomplish as a school trustee?
I hope to accomplish fiscal accountability, and a safe and healthy learning environment, a 21st century education and fairness and opportunities as a school trustee. I will continue to research and deliver ways to provide flexible, integrated, diverse and active learning environments and to create a safer and healthier learning environment for our students.
Phone: 604-790-9406
Email: [email protected]
Website: votelisapark.ca
Facebook: VoteForLisaPark#_=_
KEITH WATKINS
Age: 68
Occupation: self-employed businessman
Campaign funding: self-funded
Previous community service: school trustee for 25 years, volunteer with the Pleasantside Community Association and with Golden Spike Days
Do you support the board of education taking a lead role in creating daycare spaces in schools, and why?
Accessible, affordable daycare is an essential part of a progressive, caring community which is why in spring of 2018, I presented a motion urging the board to be a lead stakeholder in the creation of access to such spaces in our district.
Do you support the use of SOGI 123 curriculum in schools to support the inclusion of LGBTQ+2 youth, and why?
Yes, it is imperative that our schools are inclusive and our students have a safe environment to learn in. Having a transgender sibling has given me a personal perspective into the importance of these kinds of programs for school aged children.
Do you support trustee trips to China paid for by the Chinese government through cultural grants from the Confucius Institute, and why?
The relationship fostered through these trips are important to continue our successful international program. However, I understand the concerns; therefore, we need an appropriate funding model.
Do you support the expenditure of $36 million for a new school board building, and why?
While I support the need for a new building centralizing services and improving operations, I believe an alternate location would have better utilized tax dollars.
What do you hope to accomplish as a school trustee?
I will continue to be a strong voice for the citizens of Port Moody and work to develop more environmental education activities on school sites. I plan to continue dialogue with sports organizations and other community groups to maximize use of school sites for the effective use of taxpayer dollars.
Phone: 604-469-9117
Email: [email protected]
Website: keithwatkins.ca
Facebook: Keith Watkins for Port Moody School Board Trustee
