New West group endorses five candidates as the “parents’ choice”

A local parents’ group has deemed five candidates to be the “parents’ choice” in the Nov. 15 election.
Parents for Public Education New Westminster (P4PE) has endorsed five candidates who are seeking seats on school board: Jonina Campbell, Mark Gifford, MaryAnn Mortensen, Jeremy Perry and Kelly Slade-Kerr.
According to a press release from P4PE, the endorsements were made at a Nov. 6 membership meeting and were based on responses to a detailed questionnaire sent to all candidates.  The responses were evaluated against the priorities identified by parents at P4PE’s inaugural meeting in April.
“P4PE was formed by a group of parents concerned about issues such as the replacement of the high school and financial accountability,” said P4PE co-chair, Sandra Coll.  “We believe these candidates have the right skills and experience to restore parents’ confidence in the district.”
Thor Borgford, co-chair of P4PE, said the five candidates endorsed by P4PE expressed support for the values of the parent group, such as transparency in decision-making and sound financial governance.
“These candidates bring a range of experience and new ideas,” Borgford said.  “We need both to get this district back on track.”
Twelve of the 13 candidates running for school trustee submitted responses to the P4PE questionnaire.  All of the responses can be found on the group’s website at www.p4pe.ca.
P4PE formed in response to concerns about the school district’s fiscal management and invited community members to attend its inaugural meeting in April.