In your opinion what is the most critical issue facing the school board at this time and how do you plan on addressing it?
It would appear that the most critical issue facing the school board at this time is the continuing problem of doing more with less.
We have been told that there is no more money available to support the public education system, and to date, front-line workers have stepped forward and done their best to cover the shortfalls. Teachers have spent their own time and money; various support staff members are not replaced when absent for a day, and most are required to do more and more tasks each year as part of their daily workload; parents have provided assistance through volunteering and fund-raising; lab assistants try to save money by shopping around for bargain prices on supplies on their own time, and student spaces in classrooms are given up to international students who bring a short-term injection of cash. These are only a few examples of how our education system (and the people working within it) is under stress.
The work done by everyone is admirable, but we are now close to the breaking point. We must stand up and prevent the further erosion of such a vital part of our society. It is time to return a measure of respect and value to our public education system.