Lew Young PSSD Trustee Candidate - Subdivision Six (Moose Jaw)

1. Why have you chosen to run for a school board trustee?

Education is something that has always been important to our family. As my children became school age I found it important to consider being active in their education and now find it more so with my grandchildren in school. As an incumbent candidate, it is important to bring continuity and understanding of previous decisions and options to the board table.

2. What qualifications do you bring to the board if elected - these may include degrees etc but also life lessons as well?

For a number of years, I have been involved in community and Board Governance. I have served on numerous local, provincial and professional boards. For over 10 years, I was an instructor at the University of Saskatchewan in the Funeral Mortuary Science program and served as its Chairman. During my time as a trustee I was Vice Chair of the Board, have served as Chair for all Prairie South Board Committees and value being a representative to the School Community Councils. The year of School Board Amalgamation many hours of time were spent combining our historic city and rural schools into what is now Prairie South School Division. Working with the Ministry of Education during this time was both challenging and rewarding.

3. Why should people vote for you?

Experience is essential in the decision-making at the School Board Governance level. My years of being involved with the Strategic planning of how our Division will go forward to deliver education is essential. I bring Honesty, Integrity, Respect and an open door policy of listening to students, parents and staff

4. What do you see as the biggest challenge in education today?

The 2020 Pandemic has not been kind to Education. In March, Education as we knew it changed suddenly. We now find with our restart to school this fall that the concern for the safety of each student and staff is the most important. This causes concern for their physical safety, but also just as important is the emotional well-being and the self-care of each individual. The Provincial and local concerns with classroom complexity, and the diversity within the classroom is at the forefront of discussions with in the Education sector. It is important that we provide the resources that teachers and school administration need to continue working together to meet the individual needs of each student in their care. Resources within the classroom for students and teachers each year seem to be dwindling due to the financial restraints and allotment of funds from the Provincial Government. The Education Sector lost 54 million dollars a few years ago and it will take a number of years to restore the valuable resources and programs we once had and need.

5. Schools are changing with a very diverse student body - such as those of different races, languages, cultures, disabilities, sexual orientation, varying faiths, economic standing and others - how would you make the school system better so that everyone had not just the same opportunity but a fair and equitable opportunity to reach their full potential?

It is important to create a climate that supports all students, staff and parents. We must work, and work hard, to create a culture that allows all students to learn and grow with safety, keeping health and a positive learning experience for all students at the forefront.

6. What role do you see a school trustee playing in today’s educational system?

A trustee must always be an advocate for children. In all the decisions and policies that are in place, it must be “What is best for students”. As well, the trustee is responsible to the division staff, stakeholders, ratepayers and parents. You must be willing to listen to their concerns regarding what the needs are for their child’s education. Trustees are planners and policy makers, working together to create a Strategic Plan that will guide and give direction to the priorities that will be used as the Division moves forward.

7. As a trustee you are elected in a specified district but in reality, you are a trustee at large and represent students throughout the division. Can you tell me if you are a rural trustee how would you represent an urban resident or on the other side of the coin if you are an urban trustee how would you represent a rural resident?

I have always believed that once elected as a trustee you become a part of the corporate, “Board of Education.” Though our division is large, many of us have family and friends within its boarders both urban and rural, this makes it more personal. I have received inquiries from parents throughout the division regularly, and do my very best to get an answer for those individuals, it does not matter if they are urban or rural.

8. Moose Jaw is in the midst of building a new school on South Hill. Although it is a big accomplishment there has been concerns raised by some residents on various issues regarding the new school. Can you tell me how would you work with the community to ally those fears?

It is important, as the process continues, that consultations with School Community Councils, residents in the neighbourhood and the parents of students continue so that they have the most up to date information. Individuals are always encouraged to express their concerns to an individual trustee, the Board of Education and the Administration.

9. What would you like the students to say about their time at school?

I hope a student could say how much they appreciated their teachers. That they not only where interested in teaching the curriculum facts, but that they took a interest in their lives and well being as an individual person. I would hope that each student could say that the felt welcome, safe, and empowered to tackle what life offered them and to know they where encouraged to do their best.