I am Meredith Starkey and I’m hoping you’ll consider me for school trustee this November.
Malala Yousafzai’s recent Nobel Prize win reminds us that education is a right that should be accessible to all children, regardless of gender, race, creed, ability or wealth.
Quality public education is a cornerstone of our society, enabling Canadian youth to grow into the leaders, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and citizens of tomorrow. Our public education system is not perfect, but it is absolutely vital. Now is the time to defend what we have, and fight to improve our shortcomings.
I am running in this election because I fundamentally believe in public education and because I am uniquely positioned as a natural bridge between many of the competing interests at the table. First, I am a mother with a keen eye to the opportunities that will be available to my son once he enters school. Second, many of my loved ones (including my husband) are teachers, giving me an insider’s view of the challenges teachers face with growing class sizes and dwindling resources. Lastly, I am a veteran public servant having worked in planning and development at the City of Vancouver and strategic planning at TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s public transportation authority. In both of these roles, I learned how to identify stakeholders, listen to all the parties at the table and build consensus in spite of big dreams and small funds.
This November, please let me be your voice on the school board. I promise to listen, learn and make thoughtful decisions with the best interest of our students in mind. Please share your insight and concerns with me at meredithkstarkey@gmail.com. Thank you!