Acorrding to a Facebook post from Kay Johnson, P4PE is endorsing candidates in the upcoming election (it's now less than two weeks away). Here's what she wrote:
"P4PENW will hold a Candidate Endorsement meeting at 7 pm on November 6th, 2014 in the Douglas Room at the New Westminster campus of Douglas College. All members in good standing, including new members registered on or before Nov 6th, are invited to participate in the endorsement process. Members will review the profile of candidates for School Board and the candidate responses to the P4PENW candidate questionnaire. Members will then be asked to select and endorse "The Parents' Choice Slate" for New Westminster school board. The P4PENW Questionnaire and responses will be posted on the P4PENW web site in advance of the Endorsement Meeting. Please join us in making a difference in the future of our school district."
P4PE's facebook page can be found by clicking here.
Here are the questions candidates are being asked to gain a P4PE endorsement (btw, there are about 30 members to date in the group, group spokesperson Thor Borgford told me):
Name:
Party/Affiliation:
Current Endorsement(s):
1. Why do you want to become a school board trustee? What experience do you bring to the role? Do you have a child in public school?
2. Trustees are elected to govern and set policy. Superintendents are hired to make these policies operational. Sometimes, policies aren’t carried out the way the Board has envisioned. What are your thoughts on the difference between governance and operations and how would you suggest that this relationship be monitored?
3. How will you advocate for public education in New Westminster?
4. What three things will you do to stay connected to parents and other voters in New Westminster?
5. Describe your view of to whom you are accountable as a trustee and how you will demonstrate that accountability.
6. If you are elected and find that you do not share the views of the majority of the Board, how will you ensure that your voice is heard? What will you do to encourage a collaborative working relationship among Board members?
7. What are your views on the increasing privatization of our education system? Give one example of an aspect of this privatization that you would advocate to change.
8. What your views on a balanced versus a needs budget?
9. What experience do you have developing budgets and interpreting financial statements?
10. What is your opinion on term limits for Trustees?
11. In your opinion, what are the main successes and failures of the New Westminster School Board in the last 10 years?
