Shawn Davidson PSSD Trustee Candidate Subdivision Five
1. Why have you chosen to run for a school board trustee?
When I first ran for the Prairie South school board 11 years ago it was because I was deeply concerned with the direction the board was taking at the time. Rural schools were closing and programs were being cut. As a father, I was concerned about what that meant for my children and all the students of subdivision 5, which is one of the most remote subdivisions in the province. My committment to education remains and my committment to making good goverance decisions that support schools and students is proven. I hope to continue this good work!
2. What qualifications do you bring to the board if elected - these may include degrees etc but also life lessons as well?
I have been on the Prairie South board for 11 years now. In that time I have served as board vice chair and board chairperson. Currently I am President of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. My leadership talents have allowed me to support education at the highest level in the province. It is work that I am passionate about and hope to continue. Professionally I am a cattle rancher and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
3. Why should people vote for you?
Simple - Proven Leadership! During my time on the school board I have consistently shown leadership though challenging times. At Prairie South we have faced a series of challenging budgets yet have been able to keep cuts in the classroom to a minimum. Provincially I have lead education through a governance review where the existance of elected school boards was preserved. I have also taken a leadership role on the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been a challenging term, but it is work I am passionate about.
4. What do you see as the biggest challenge in education today?
Providing an adequately resourced classroom with diverse geography and student needs. I continue to work on that challenge right up to the provinicial level.
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?
That is a very complicated issue, and in fact I sit on a provincial committe that is working on just that question. It comes down to several items, including adequate resources, adequate professional supports for teachers, adequate staff capacity within the schools, cooperation with other government ministries, and curriculum delivery, just to name a few. Dealing with this challenge requires a positive relationship with and cooperation by government. This is facinating and challenging work that I will have the opportunity to continue on behalf of the public if I am re-elected.
6. What role do you see a school trustee playing in today's educational system?
School Board trustees govern the education system. It is our role to set policy, make key strategic decisions, set the budget, and advocate for education locally, provinicially, and nationally. Elected trustees are the voice of the public in publically funded education so it is also a key role to listen to our communities and bring their voice to the board table.
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?
The role of the trustee is to represent the public at large and work for all communities in the division. As such any trustee needs to listen to the concerns and hopes of ratepayers in all of the division and bring that voice forward.
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?
Bringing the voice of the public forward can be challenging when there is a diversity of opinions. We have also heard a lot of excitement about the new school on south hill, particularly from parents, staff, and students. The school communities are being valued and respected and the new school will be an amazing learning environment for all involved.
9. What would you like the students to say about their time at school?
That they were given the tools they needed in school to navigate life after school. Through the SSBA I lobbied the provincial government to establish a financial literacy curriculum. I was chair of the Prairie South board when we won the Premier's Award for excellence and innovation in education for our practical and applied arts enhancement project - "Pathways to Success". My goal to equip students with some of the skills they need shows through my work on the school board for the last 11 years.