As a candidate for OCDSB trustee, I have been approached by other candidates for trustee, looking to begin discussing our shared values. Very quickly, we identified mutual concerns about the fact the OCDSB is under provincial supervision and general underfunding of the education system. Ultimately a group of eight candidates, including myself, have signed off on a statement of shared values. That statement of shared principles is below.
You can read more about this group of candidates here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/trustee-candidates-band-together-provincial-supervision-9.7321598
Statement of Shared Principles
As candidates for OCDSB trustee, we are individually committed to these shared principles. These principles aim to provide clear information for voters regarding our positions and values. Should we be elected, this statement will guide us in working together to make decisions in the best interests of students and our school communities.
Local democracy: For over two hundred years, local communities have been represented by democratically elected school board trustees. We believe that the unelected supervision of the OCDSB should be ended immediately in order to restore democracy, transparency, and accountability to our local school communities. If we are elected, we will work to end the supervision of our school board and we commit to being transparent and accountable to the communities we represent.
Student support: All students have a right to a free, public school system that meets their individual needs. We believe that the chronic underfunding of our school board has resulted in a reduction of programs, supports, and educators. This is an acute crisis felt most deeply by students who have disabilities and are being excluded from school due to a lack of resources. We believe that trustees must advocate for change to ensure that all students are given what they need to succeed.
No hate in our schools: Students deserve an education that is inclusive, empathetic, and helps build a future without hate. We are committed to eradicating ableism, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, queerphobia, sinophobia, and all other forms of hate from our school board through representation, education, individual support, and involvement in diverse, local communities.
Co-operation: Our priority is effective representation of the needs of our students and school communities. We understand that cooperation among trustees is paramount to ensure that your voices are heard by the board’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Education Officer, the Minister of Education, and the Supervisor, as long as such a position exists.
Working for you: The trustee position is a job that has two phases: one under the provincially-appointed supervisor and one when the supervisor is relieved and democratically elected trustees assume their responsibilities. While the board is under supervision, the work of a trustee remains ongoing. We are committed to amplifying your concerns, advocating for your needs, and helping school communities have a voice at the board level. When the board’s appointed supervisor is removed and elected trustees assume their responsibilities, we are committed to working constructively with the board executive team as we represent our school communities for the betterment of our public school system.