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

Candidates take lead from TO and run with it continued from p.4 Other promise sections within the pledge include bringing integrity, honesty and accountability to the Halton board, respecting students' health and safety, striving to use taxpayer dollars responsibly and supporting students with exceptionalities. The latter is a new section not found in Toronto trustee candidate Jennifer Story's pledge. "One thing that's important to all three of us is children with exceptionalities," said Dilly. "It's those who are gifted and children who are struggling." Promises to help those students include trying to provide time-sensitive testing, appropriate resources, an adequate educational assistant ratio and optimal programming choices. They also promised to recognize the impact of mental health issues on students and promote the Active and Safe Routes to School initiative. Oliver said the three candidates talked at a Project Autism meeting and discovered they shared values. "For us, this pledge sets the foundation for how we will act and make decisions as trustees," she said. They stressed that it's meant as a positive measure. 5 | Friday, September 26, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Having a footing to start on an even keel will help us in any contentious issues. We just did this to come together and play nice in the sandbox. It's our code of conduct. We're not saying other trustees have to live by it. We welcome any other trustee candidates to join us in this pledge. Mary Dilly nice in the sandbox." The former Halton public board trustee (2006-10) hopes the pledge will spark interest in local school board elections. "Even if you don't have children in the schools, you should care," said Dilly. Other promises include promoting transparency when using public resources. "Trustee expenses need to be public," said Dilly. "And there's challenging, questioning and appraising the annual budget. It's a $600-million-plus budget." Candidates promised to support a bill to expand the Ontario ombudsman's oversight to include municipalities, universities and school boards, to ensure the highest standards of accountability at the Halton public board. Dilly said the pledge is non-binding. "It's our code of conduct. We're not saying other trustees have to live by it," she said. "We welcome any other trustee candidates to join us in this pledge." For full details, visit www.marydilly.ca, www.shuttleworthma.wix.com/margoshuttleworth, or www.joannaoliver4trustee.ca. Burlington public school trustee candidate "Even if we're arguing, we have to realize we're looking at the best outcome for the children and their families," said Shuttleworth. "We're trying to make sure everyone's working together." Dilly said the pledge is not a reflection on current Halton trustees. "Having a footing to start on an even keel will help us in any contentious issues," she said. "We just did this to come together and play A STEP BEYOND IN CARE Do you have: Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? Call for an appointment 905-632-1414 728 Burloak Drive www.footandhealthclinic.com Helping You Make Smart Decisions About Your Money Voted #1 Financial Planner 11 Years Thank you for this year's First Place award for Best Financial Planner and Gold award for Investment Company tHiS iS MY collaboration MacLachlan's small school approach embodies a strong sense of community and a warm family atmosphere. Our teachers' enthusiasm inspires the freedom to learn, discover, accept challenges and achieve. Maclachlan college: this is where your child belongs. Visit us to show you why. Inquire about securing early acceptance for September 2015. GOLD Peter Watson MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI Certified Financial Planner Since 1991 905-844-0372 ext. 235 admissions@maclachlan.ca 337 trafalgar road, oakville www.maclachlan.ca 220 Randall Street · Downtown Oakville Phone: 905.842.2100 www.peterwatsoninvestments.com