Some will, some … maybe.
As local politicians eye a fall election, some school trustees have no doubts about running again this year, others are still on the fence.
Trustee and board chair Ravi Parma said he has had a great time working with the district over the lst 3.5 years and hopes to return again.
“I believe the board has done a great job this term at ensuring we have the best education system possible,” Parmar said.
He said upcoming issues for trustee are to ensure classroom space, have new schools built, and discuss a new funding formula with the government that will look at how money is distributed, as well as finding additional funding for things like transportation.
Bob Phillips said he is 90 per cent sure he will be running again.
Phillips said he has devoted his life to education, is proud to be a trustee, and feels a strong commitment to students.
He wants to focus on mental health in students, building a more inclusive environment in schools, as well as finding additional government funding, and ensuring new schools get built in the district.
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Dianna Seaton also said she is running again.
“There is so much more to be done, and I just don’t feel quite finished yet,” said Seaton.
She said the Sooke School District is at a crossroads of being one of the smaller districts, to becoming substantially larger, so she wants to help with the rapid growth.
Her issues of focus in this year’s election will be providing additional classrooms in schools instead of portables, making plans for better transportation, and ensuring a positive learning environment for students.
Neil Poirier said it is early, but he is likely going to be running again. His focuses in this year’s election will be on building a new school in Sooke and mental health.
Denise Riley, said it is too early to tell, and she is still on the fence about running.
Like Poirier and Riley, Margot Swinburnson is also on the fence, but is leaning towards running again as well.
Swinburnson said she feels honoured to serve the community and loves being a trustee.
Should Swinburnson return, her focuses will also be on infrastructure, building new schools, keeping youth excited about education, as well as on vulnerable children and families, and student’s mental health.
Wendy Hobbs was unavailable for comment.
School board elections are held Oct. 20.
