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Betsy De Clercq (incumbent)
1. In your opinion, what is the role of a school trustee?
A trustee is a member of a team that plans for their school division, setting priorities and goals ensuring that the education for students stays in step with today’s world and is the best quality education that can be provided working around an annual budget.
2. Why are you running for school trustee?
I am presently completing my first term as a school trustee and I have really enjoyed collaborating with our amazing team of community partners, parents, teachers, staff, administrators and fellow trustees to help set goals, plan and enable quality educational opportunities for our students. I was an educator at the Jasper Elementary School for 33 years and I feel that I have been privileged to continue working with our schools and our community in a different capacity.
3. What is the most important issue facing the School Board right now?
In my opinion it is setting priorities that will improve and enhance student learning. Some of these include: maintaining small class sizes; purchasing current educational resources; developing partnerships that will create new and different educational opportunities for students; encouraging professional development for all staff so that our students have quality instruction, and very importantly, fostering a culture of trust, honesty and inclusion.
4. Is the location of the new proposed high school satisfactory in your opinion?
Absolutely! I am excited and looking forward to the time when this joint project with le Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord School Board will be on the go. The bowling green location has been controversial, but I feel that the majority of our community is in favour of this site.
5. What role does the School Board play in the high school debate?
A new Jasper Jr./Sr. High School has been a priority on the capital plan for quite a few years. We have met and discussed this issue with many stakeholders – community, staff, parents, and students. The municipality has been supportive and the Alberta government recognizes our need. We are presently formalizing an agreement with the municipality to request Parks Canada for a rezoning of this property.
6. What are some issues facing Elementary Schools?
It is essential that students have a strong positive start in their educational career. To enable this GYPSD is running full day kindergarten classes in all our schools even though the provincial government only funds this program for half a day.
There has been zero increase in funding for special needs in the last few years. Adequate sustainable funding is required to ensure the success of ALL students.
7. What do you think has been the greatest accomplishment of the school board this past term?
I think of our division wide rebranding project and our many new partnerships across the division and in particular our new partnership with Marmot Basin. All of these projects enhance learning opportunities - but the one I feel most proud of is our Community-Supported Literacy Enhancement Initiative.
8. What’s your stance on taking the out of school care program out of the Jasper Elementary School and moving it to a yet-to be-constructed building?
I think it would be a wonderful idea to have a new and exciting place for the out of school care program. Perhaps there could be a designated area in our new Jr./Sr. High School. We will have to explore the possibility. The school day is long and children would benefit from a change of scenery after being in their classrooms all day.
9. Why doesn’t the GYPSD want to continue to host the out of school care program at the Jasper Elementary School?
On the contrary, GYPSD has a very successful partnership with the out of school care program. There are over 50 students on their list. There is definitely a growing need for this program and there will have to be a permanent solution sometime in the future as the elementary school is very tight for space.
Gerry Lettner
1. In your opinion, what is the role of a school trustee?
The Jasper Ward Trustee is elected by Jasperites and is entrusted with the responsibility to be attentive to and clearly articulate Jasper's educational issues. The trustee must also balance Jasper's issues with the issues of Grande Yellowhead Public School District. An effective trustee has the opportunity and responsibility to in?uence decisions as a communicator, planner, policy maker and advocate.
2. Why are you running for school trustee?
I have served as a school trustee previously and have been directly involved with education throughout my professional career. I have an excellent understanding of Alberta's education system and have the interest, ability and time to be an effective trustee.
3. What is the most important issue facing the school board right now?
Student learning is always the most important issue facing a school board. The core curriculum is set by Alberta Education but the learning occurs within the classroom or alternative learning environment. Ours is an inclusive system for all learners and teachers face many challenges in their determination to engage students in a non-threatening environment.
4. Is the location of the new proposed high school satisfactory in your opinion?
This is a contentious and complex issue for Jasperites. The Municipality of Jasper has reached a tentative agreement with GYPSD to locate the new junior/senior high school on a section of the green space area currently being used as an off-leash dog park and also known as the “bowling green”. After a board decision is made, trustees have the responsibility to speak in a uni?ed voice.
5. What role does the school board play in the high school debate?
There are four major players involved in the junior/senior high school debate. The Municipality of Jasper makes decisions on behalf of Jasper rate-payers and thus has an obligation to listen to them. There is a de?ned procedure to follow. The GYPSD has the responsibility to lobby and work with the province to access adequate funding for the school. The school location issue becomes more pronounced when there are increased costs associated with one proposal over another. When land swaps are considered, Parks Canada becomes involved. The role of the school board is to successfully negotiate with the Municipality of Jasper for a land swap and to ensure Parks Canada approval is received.
6. What are some issues facing elementary schools?
Class size, safe school environments, support for children with special needs, student physical activity and discipline. Teachers cannot replace parents but need to work with parents when disciplinary issues arise. Self esteem must be nurtured but it is also necessary for learners to experience dif?culty and failure. The desired outcome is motivation and critical thinking.
7. What do you think has been the greatest accomplishment of the school board this past term?
The Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) provided the opportunity for teachers to engage in instructional strategies to improve student learning. It is fantastic to have teachers who live their profession by continuing to learn themselves.
8. What’s your stance on taking the out of school care program out of the Jasper Elementary School, and moving it to a yet-to-be-constructed building?
Out-of-school care is searching for a long-term home that would also serve the needs of the summer fun program. The Jasper Elementary School principal in consort with the superintendent make the recommendation on whether or not there is room for out-of-school care in the school. The out-of-school program will continue for the 2010-11 school year.
9. Why doesn’t the GYPSD want to continue to host the out of school care program at the Jasper Elementary School?
Out-of-school care is important to School Boards. It is the board's prerogative to determine when and how to lobby for out-of-school care. Increased programming is being offered and space is at a premium. There may come a time when space is no longer available.
More information on Gerry Lettner can be found at http://groups.to/gerry_lettner_jasper_trustee/ |
