Edmonton Catholic School Board trustee candidates

Ward Two

Since being elected in 2001, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your Ward 2 Edmonton Catholic School Board trustee. I am asking for your continued support to be re-elected as your Ward 2 trustee on Oct. 18.

My husband Steve and I have two school-aged children attending Catholic schools in northwest Edmonton's Ward 2. My expertise is strategic planning and policy. I am a small business owner and I have been an active volunteer in the Edmonton community for almost 20 years.

Education is a priority in our community and it is at the core of our youth's future. Since elected, my overall goal was to provide active, engaged and effective representation for the people who support Catholic education.

I believe that I achieved that goal. I have heard from school councils, parents and supporters of Catholic education that I have made a positive difference.

My commitment to Ward 2 remains to be a strong voice in representing and defending your family's Catholic education needs and interests within Edmonton Catholic Schools. I am very proud of my community and want to ensure we continuously improve the schools to which we send our children and youth every day.

I share the community's vision of Catholic education. I have the initiative and commitment to ensure our schools will be able to provide our children and youth with the quality of education you demand and they require.

I have lived in Ward 2 for over 40 years and I am actively involved in the community as the chairperson of the St. Edmund parish council and as a member of the K of C Our Lady of Fatima Council and St. Joseph Assembly.

Although we have made great gains over the past few years, there is still much work to be done in terms of promoting and protecting Catholic education. The government has committed more funds to education. It is the responsibility of the trustee to ensure that these funds are used responsibly in a manner that will best meet the needs of our students.

Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to reducing class sizes. As more teachers are hired and more classes are created, the challenge will be to provide the physical space to accommodate this in a responsible and efficient manner. This includes improving existing infrastructure as well as constructing new schools (particularly a new high school in the Castledowns area).

We also need to continue to provide programs that will enhance and enrich the learning experiences of our children.

We are blessed with an outstanding Catholic school system. As your trustee, I will work to ensure that this excellent Catholic school system is nurtured and preserved for future generations.

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