The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Friday, August 3, 2018 3 Brooklin Town Crier $10,522 with the chair and vice-chair getting over $16k and $13k respectively. While it seems like decent coin, the hours invested in helping to guide what is arguably one of our society's most important functions, education, can't be overstated. "People should read about who is running and what they bring to the position," my friend says. "If someone runs because of issues that pertain to operations, then the person does not have a clear understanding of the role but rather a personal agenda." We announced in last week's paper that the BTC will use the next few issues to publish the views of those running in the October election. We begin in this paper with DDSB and DCDSB trustee candidates. As that trustee advised, choose wisely. Durham District School Board (Select 1, 2 or 3 on your ballot - 3 will be elected)X Meet the Trustee Candidates for the 2018 Municipal Election Luigia Ayotte 43 Stargell Drive, Whitby Home: 905.430.9544 Mobile: 905.442.3741 electayotteddsbtrustee@gmail.com As a Whitby resident for over 39 years and grandparent of five children attending Whitby/Brooklin schools, I believe all students are entitled to and deserve an education that helps them achieve their full potential. Quality educational experiences that provide children with the attention and support they need to thrive is key to building success, and as parents and grandparents, it is up to us to make certain this happens. My vision is of an education system that puts students first and whose practices always reflect what is best for kids. A student centered school is safe, free of bullying and promotes equitable outcomes. My belief that all students can learn and succeed when given the needed support and encouragement coupled with my work experience and knowledge of education systems, has prepared me to be entrusted with the important work of a school trustee. Our kids future matters and school trustees have a responsibility to ensure organizational structures and practices are held to high standards. As a trustee my task will be to make sure every child is provided with experiences that not only help them gain knowledge and develop important skills, but also builds character traits that help them become principled adults that are strong and resilient. As a member of the Board of Trustees, my task will be to work hard on behalf of all Whitby/Brooklin students, parents and community members in making sure tax dollars go to providing the support, resources and materials needed to deliver outstanding programs to all students in every classroom. As your trustee, I will make certain your voices are heard, that I am visible, accessible and responsive and I will actively participate in all discussions and decisions on behalf of all Whitby/Brooklin students and their families. I have been fortunate, over the last few months, to speak with thousands of parents, teachers, friends and neighbours about their views of our public education system. As a parent with an elementary-aged child in the DDSB, their stories and concerns are similar to my own. Many students in our system are not being set up for success. Educators are having to navigate an under-resourced system and in many classrooms, children, especially those with special needs, do not have the tools and supports they need to succeed. Parents, teachers and students are frustrated. The situation is so dire that school boards, including the DDSB, have been borrowing from other areas of spending to try to meet those needs. Violence and bullying in schools are also consistently raised as critical issues impacting education. There appears to be a general consensus that administrators do not have tools at their disposal to positively address these situations and introduce accountability for negative behaviours. We can better support healthy and safe learning environments by providing staff and administrators with the policy tools they need to perform their jobs and give effect to the commitment to create violence-free and bully-free schools. We need trustees who will be vocal about gaps in education and about the importance of giving every child the opportunity to reach their potential. Trustees must be strong advocates for, and guardians of, a properly funded, public education system and must be committed to strengthening the connection between school trustees, families and the community. I have a spent my career being a strong, principled, legal advocate and I'm committed to using that skill set to advance the interests of accessible, quality, public education. I look forward to working with our community to ensure that all voices become integral to decision-making of the DDSB. Niki Lundquist Business Phone: 416.718.8473 Mobile: 416.566.6854 nikislundquist@icloud.com continued from previous page (Continued on page 4) Jim Barclay 319 Kent Street, Unit 3, Whitby 905.706.8906 jambarc@yahoo.ca Jim Barclay retired from teaching seven years ago after a 32-year career with the DDSB teaching phys. ed., physics and science. His concerns are as follows: School start times - Some high schools start as early as 8 am. Teenagers aren't at their peak at that hour. I don't understand why we can't start later and figure out a way so kids are more into their day - I know bus companies seem to be driving some of this, but don't they work for the board? Info to parents - If something happens in a school, it's not really open to public what is going gone Don't know how much power the board will have under the current government. But clearly Queen's Park doesn't understand the school system. I've been in schools for so long, I would be a good voice to combat regressive changes. Socially, with respect to sex ed and gender identity, to go back 25 years is a ludicrous way to go about it. I always thought it was strange that people elected as trustees didn't understand what was going on in schools. I would like to change that. Sherri Simzer 61 Tempo Way, Whitby Home: 905.425.0405 Cell:289-927-5688 sherrisimz@rogers.com ~ Integrity and Experience ~ Sherri Simzer is running for a seat on the Durham District School Board in the Town of Whitby. She brings 30 years of success in public education with a focus on teaching life and job skills to help youth to secure gainful employment. "I look forward to once again supporting all students to achieve to their potential." Sherri offers an impressive resume: Created the Employment and Education Centre (EEC) serving as Executive Director for 30 years. EEC became the hub of training and job opportunities for youth throughout Leeds-Grenville in partnership with employers. EEC expanded its services to provide computer training, career and financial counselling and innovative programs for youth. Significant experience as a Board member: 12 years - Leeds and Grenville Community Development Corporation (2 years as President) 6 years - Leeds Legal Aid Committee 8 years - First Work Provincial Association (4 years as President) 4 years - Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects (2 years as President) Sherri is the only woman to receive the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Business Achievement Award and the only recipient from the not-for-profit sector. Sherri's children graduated from the Ontario public education system. Randy became a Civil Engineer while Aimee is a Registered Nurse. Sherri understands key education issues: "The province's "progressive discipline" policy is allowing students and school staff to be physically injured. They deserve a safe working environment." "The new Health and Physical Education curriculum is needed to ensure students understand consent, healthy relationships, boundaries and sexual orientation." "We should explore how to expand the School Resource Officer Program to support all students and their diversities."