Browsing posts in the ‘School Board Trustees – Calgary Board of Education’ category

CalgaryPolitics.com Rides Again!

January 25, 2011 - By

Nation, the last post on this blog (before this one, of course) was a great piece by Jeremy Zhao entitled (ironically) “The Conversation Deficit That We Must Avoid”. I say ironically, because that post was published nearly 3 months ago.

The future for CalgaryPolitics.com is as yet unwritten – the contributors will be discussing in the coming weeks and months exactly what role this outlet should play in the periods between elections. Without a doubt, there are many things to discuss in a broad subject area like “politics in Calgary” – municipal issues abound, provincial politics continue to generate buzz in this Burg on the Bow, and a federal election featuring the party of Calgary South West MP and Prime Minister Stephen Harper is hotly rumoured.  No matter what we choose to do, we will almost certainly use our powers for good.

You’ll notice a new decoration on the top left corner of the blog’s main page – you, and hundreds of readers just like you, saw fit to award this humble project with 3rd place in the 2010 Canadian Blog Awards, in the category of “Best Political Blog”.  There will be a post on this honour soon, but suffice it to [...]Read More

Categories: Calgary Issues, Events, School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education, School Board Trustees - Calgary Catholic School Board, Shameless Self Promotion

yyc Twibates Part III: Trustees

3
October 17, 2010 - By

While we didn’t have a huge turnout for Trustee, we felt it was important to have it nonetheless.  It followed the same format as Aldermanic.  Answers only appear here if they carried the #yycTB tag (this twibate had a few that were missed)

Participants included:

Ward 1&2 Public: Trina Hurdman, Josh Traptow, Jaret Kneller

Ward 6&7 Public: Carole Oliver

Ward 8&9 Public: Laura Shutiak

Ward 11&13 Public: Victor Lough, Catherine Heggerud

Ward 12&14 Public: Carol Bazinet, Wendi Ann Moore

Question Candidate Answer Do you feel the ed portion of property taxes shd be distributed directly to boards, rather than funnelled thru the prov? Traptow yes, this allows brds to be directly accountable to their voters as they are the ones spending the money Hurdman Yes. And the province should give less of provincial revenues to large urban areas as a % and more to rural ones. Just to clarify. Province gives more money to boards than that collected by property taxes. Oliver don’t think that would bring equity for all children metro boards have higher per capita population of diverse learning need Kneller Yes, as it better represents the proportion of students within that jurisdiction – it is a better [...]Read More

Categories: Events, School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview with Ward 12 and 14 Public School Trustee Candidate Malik Amery

1
October 14, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Malik Amery who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 12 &14 this term. 
 

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I am proud to say that I am a product of the CBE and depiction of its success. My mandate is simply to contribute back to a system which brought me up; resurrect it back to a system which all others are measured against and then safeguard it for future generations. I am running for School Board Trustee to work towards rectifying the numerous deficiencies plaguing the public school system. I believe that the principal stakeholders (i.e. students, parents, educators and community) [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

What Do These Schmucks Do? – School Board Trustee Edition

3
October 13, 2010 - By

(Re-posted, with some edits, from October 2007)

With thanks to the Alberta School Boards Association, below is an overview of exactly what a “school board trustee” DOES – handy information, when deciding whom you should elect to the job.

All voters are asked at the polling station for which board they wish to elect a trustee – public or catholic. Make sure to get this question right – your taxes go to whichever board you choose, so make sure you have a say in who gets to spend them!

(ASBA text begins now)

What do school trustees do?

Alberta school boards help shape the future of local communities by governing the education of young people. The provincial government, through the minister of learning grants school boards the independent authority to make decisions regarding the direction and quality of local public education. Accountability to the public is entrenched through the election of local school board trustees every three years. The school board election is October 18, 2010.

School board responsibilities

It’s up to school boards to ensure all children in the community receive a quality education. Specific school board responsibilities include:

  • Communicating, informing and involving parents, staff, and the community-at-large [...]Read More

Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education, School Board Trustees - Calgary Catholic School Board

Interview with Ward 6 and 7 Calgary Public School Board Trustee Candidate Dr. George Lane

1
October 13, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Dr. George Lane, who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 6 & 7 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I want to be re-elected to help ensure that the CBE retains its Mission, Vision, and Values; ‘grabs the inspiring future’; advances from a Good to a Great system and provides each student with a rich and diverse range of choices to prepare themselves to thrive in a rapidly changing and competitive world.

Can you share some of your past volunteer, political and/or Board of Directors experience?

PAST BOARDS – Developmental Disabilities Resources Centre, DDRFoundation, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, The Banff Centre, Banff [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

interview with ward 1 & 2 calgary public school trustee candidate Trina Hurdman

1
October 12, 2010 - By

Why are you running?

I’m running because the next 3 years are going to see some major, major changes coming in education and I want to be a part of those changes. I’ve done a lot of research, a lot of reading about education and I really believe that the province is moving in the right way.

I know that with these changes coming up there’s going to be a lot of backlash from the general public and a lot of people that don’t really have a firm grasp or understanding of educational issues. I know that if we just push ahead with these changes, it’s going to be a big mess. So I basically want to be a trustee to serve as an intermediary between the province and the public so I can talk with people. I don’t want to introduce any changes that people aren’t 100% behind otherwise it’s just not effective and a waste of dollars.

What are some of these changes?

Assessment practices are being completely rethought, for example, in the Foothills  school district, just south of Calgary. They have eliminated traditional grading in elementary schools and junior high schools. For example, they don’t [...]Read More

Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 1 and 2 Calgary Public School Trustee Candidate Josh Traptow

October 12, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Josh Traptow who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 1 & 2 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I’m running because I want to make a difference, as a recent former student I saw areas that worked really well in schools and in the system but areas that could be improved upon as well. This also gives me a chance to give back to my community and to a system that I give credit to who I am today. From an early age my parents instilled in me that being involved and giving back to your community is important and this [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 11 and 13 Public School Trustee Candidate Catherine Heggerud

October 11, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Catherine Heggerud, who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 11 & 13 this term.

 

 

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I am running for public school trustee for two primary reasons:

I believe that public education is a fundamental right for all citizens of a democracy. Education strengthens the citizen; and an engaged citizen strengthens the democracy. All the years I spent at TELUS, I believed it was my responsibility to make the organization the best it could be. With my children in the public school system, I believe my education and experience can contribute to the CBE by building [...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 11 and 13 Public School Board Trustee Julie Kearns

October 10, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Julie Kearns, who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 11 & 13 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

I care about education. I care about democracy and the crucial role of local communities to govern their affairs. I am known as a visionary leader, and I have experience as an educator; community volunteer; parent & grandparent; knowledge of best practices in educational governance; expertise in measuring outcomes; sensitivity to the political dimensions of education; and belief in our capacity to change and adapt to the future.

My commitment, as the Public School Board Trustee for Wards 11 & 13 [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 8 & 9 Public School Trustee Candidate Laura Shutiak

October 9, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Laura Shutiak,  who will be running for election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 8 &9 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

  I watched with interest the budget debate in June. Trustees were presented with a budget that had a $29 million deficit and the loss of 292 school-based positions. Only 5 trustees had questions, and most of them, only had one question. Then, when they “debated” the budget all but one trustee just blamed the province for not giving them enough money. There was no oversight. No one asking really tough questions. I felt that the board was falling down in their duty as governors [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 12 & 14 Public School Trustee Candidate Carol Bazinet

1
October 8, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.

This interview is with Carol Bazinet, who will be running fro re-election as the Public School Trustee in Ward 12/14 this term.

 

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

CB: The important role that trustees play in public education is based on their representation of the public. Since all of the public can not be “at the table” for debate, trustees must do their best to represent as many views as possible. I really enjoy talking to members of the public about their education system and what their hopes and dreams are for their children. That is why I would want to be a trustee.

Can you share some of your past volunteer, [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Interview With Ward 12 and 14 Public School Trustee Wendi Moore

October 7, 2010 - By

This is a continuation of a series of interviews that I will post about local candidates that are running in the 2010 Calgary municipal election. I do not endorse any of the candidates necessarily, unless stated otherwise. The intent is to allow the candidates a forum in which they can share some of their views as I  feel that the school trustee candidates often do not get the same amount of attention from the mainstream media as the alderman and mayoral candidates.
This interview is with Wendi Moore, who will be running for Public School Trustee in Ward 12/14 this term.

Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

WM:   The reason I am running for Public School Trustee in Ward 12 and 14 is to get back to involving the “public” in public education. We have too many instances of the current Board looking out for their interests and not for the interests of the public (parents/students) at large. We have instances of designated schools not properly aligned with new communities where, for instance, many students will take a bus past a school on their way to their designated school. We have children in [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

How Many Calgary Municipal Election Candidates Will Get The Nomination Day Blues?

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September 6, 2010 - By

Anyone that is actively following the 2010 Calgary Municipal Election scene should be getting excited that the races for Alderman, Mayor and School Board Trustee are about to become official!  With nomination day fast approaching, the race is also on for some of the candidates to get their paperwork in order in advance of the September 20, 2010 deadline. 

The 2010 election is expected to include the most candidates that Calgary has ever seen and some of the races are becoming more and more crowded every day, which is a good thing for local democracy.  While I believe that everyone has a democratic right to run for office and respect those who put their names forward for this election, I wonder how many of these candidates will actually be on the ballots after nomination day.  I took a look at the City of Calgary website for more information on the nomination requirements, which I have summarized below:

Required Signatures

All candidates must be nominated by eligible electors. The required number of signatures are:

  • Mayor – 100 Signatures

 

  • Alderman – 100 Signatures

 

  • School Trustee – 25 Signatures

If running for Alderman, and/or Public or Separate School [...]Read More

Tags: Categories: Alderman - Ward 1, Alderman - Ward 10, Alderman - Ward 11, Alderman - Ward 12, Alderman - Ward 13, Alderman - Ward 14, Alderman - Ward 2, Alderman - Ward 3, Alderman - Ward 4, Alderman - Ward 5, Alderman - Ward 6, Alderman - Ward 7, Alderman - Ward 8, Alderman - Ward 9, Calendar, Mayor of Calgary, Political Theory, School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education, School Board Trustees - Calgary Catholic School Board

Desperately Seeking School Board Trustees…

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August 26, 2010 - By

Nation, I’ve written before about the crucial role that school board trustees play in our education system and, by extension, in our society.

In Calgary, we elect 7 men and women to sit on the public school board, and 7 to sit on the Catholic school board – the ballot you receive is determined by the system you indicate support for on your property tax form.

Now, these positions are not nearly as hotly-contested as the races for Alderman or Mayor…  they’re low profile, often thankless jobs, with few material perks and long, late hours making tough decisions with one financial hand tied behind your back.  For these reasons, you don’t often see a flood of candidates trying to get out of the gate early, hit up the Stampede BBQ circuit, fundraising, doorknocking, and recruiting a small army of volunteers to help get the word out.  We don’t see a lot of politically connected, experienced or savvy people running – we see parents.  Recent graduates.  Earnest people who have never sat down around a kitchen table and talked election strategy with 8 brilliant political minds (just throwing that example out there).  They don’t often advertise that they’re considering [...]Read More

Categories: Public Service Announcements, School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education, School Board Trustees - Calgary Catholic School Board

Josh Traptow set to announce candidacy in public school board race wards 1 and 2

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July 16, 2010 - By

By making this post, I’m going to have to involve myself a little bit in the school board races in Calgary. Josh Traptow is set to run for school board trustee in wards 1 and 2, to replace outgoing incumbent Gordon Dirks. He’s going to announce his bid on July 19, 2010. He is still in school finishing a degree at SAIT in Administration & Information Management. He’s also only 21, which will make him for now the youngest candidate in the school board races. Many who do know Mr. Traptow will know him for his involvement with provincial and federal politics, as well as his involvement in various political campaigns.

Given the weak structure and political organization of a school board in general, age is not going to be a factor. What may be questions that Traptow has to face are a) is this just a stepping stone for future political ambitions? and b) does he understand families? It is unfair for me to analyze this as Josh has not even officially announced his campaign, but it’s definitely going to be something he’ll have to answer when door knocking.

[...]Read More

Tags: ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

Do We Have a Race for CBE Trustee in Ward 1 & 2?

3
June 9, 2010 - By

Nation, we’ve received word here at calgarypolitics.com world headquarters that we may in fact have a race shaping up to fill the CBE Ward 1 & 2 Trustee seat being vacated this fall by Gordon Dirks, who has announced he won’t be running again.

We already knew of Trina Hurdman, who has been early out of the gate with her website and twitter activity. We’re hearing today that local political prodigy Josh Traptow may also be eying a run in the area.

We’ll leave it to Traptow to confirm or deny, but if this is the case, it can only bode well for the students and parents in Wards 1 & 2. When candidates compete with each other, better governance ensues – no matter WHICH candidate gets elected.

Tags: ι ι Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education

The 14 Races No One Talks About…

April 11, 2010 - By

Nation, before we get too far ahead of ourselves in the “Shark Week on Discovery Channel”-esque feeding frenzy that is the “will s/he or won’t s/he” Aldermanic and Mayoral race speculation (too late), we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least note that there are, in fact, 14 other races coming up in Calgary this October.

Those of you with children in the public or separate (Catholic) school system might argue, with merit, that these are far more important than who wins an aldermanic seat from a ward on the opposite end of town.

I speak, of course, of the election of school board trustees.  People elected by the supporters of each board to represent the best interests of the children in those systems and, by extension, society as a whole (as those children will be our doctors, lawyers and – heaven forbid! – our politicians in the future).

As we’ve seen elsewhere recently in this province, and even in our own city in the not-so-distant past, choosing wisely is of critical importance.  Rest assured that the Best Political Team in the Blogosphere ™ is on the job, and prepared to cover these races with all the tenacity [...]Read More

Categories: School Board Trustees - Calgary Board of Education, School Board Trustees - Calgary Catholic School Board

Who’s running for Calgary City Council in 2010?

2
April 4, 2010 - By

There sure are a lot of names coming out of the proverbial woodwork right about now saying they are going to run for Calgary City Council. Now it’s a long way off from nomination day on September 20, and everyone can change their minds still, but it’s already getting hard to figure out who is who, and who’s saying their running and who is not.

So with this in mind I decided to put together a list of everything I’ve seen reported, heard personally and have heard rumour of. I’ll try to update this list regularly as we hear or see other things. If you know of anyone missing, please just let me know and I’ll add it!

PS – Try not to read too much into the difference between “rumoured” and “declared”. At this point it doesn’t really mean much. It’s more a degree of veracity in their statements up till now that made me choose one over the other. Some however, are just rumours.

Mayor
Dave Bronconnier – Incumbent (not running)
Craig Burrows (rumoured)
Joe Connelly (rumoured)
Bob Hawkesworth (rumoured)
Kent Hehr (rumoured)
Paul Hughes (declared)
Alnoor Kassam (declared)
Jon Lord (declared)
[...]Read More

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