Governance
Public trust is earned when trustees listen, work together and remain accountable for their decisions. That is how I will approach governance as a trustee. I will listen to the people who experience our education system every day, work constructively with fellow trustees and district leadership, ask difficult questions and communicate honestly about the Board’s decisions.
The Board of Education sets the district’s strategic direction, establishes policy, oversees district leadership and determines how public resources will support students. Individual trustees bring their own perspectives to the table, but they govern collectively and must consider the needs of the entire district. I am running to help build a Board that listens carefully, collaborates effectively, acts transparently and follows through on its commitments.
Listen and Collaborate
I will actively seek the perspectives of students, families, teachers, education assistants, staff, First Nations and community partners. I will work respectfully through disagreements and help build constructive relationships among trustees, district leadership and the communities we serve. Collaboration does not mean avoiding difficult conversations or expecting everyone to agree. It means listening with an open mind, considering different perspectives and remaining focused on practical solutions that serve students across the district.
People may not always receive the decision they hoped for, but they deserve to know that their concerns were taken seriously. I will commit to listening, follow up and explain how community input informed the Board’s decisions.
Act Transparently
The public should be able to understand what the Board is doing, why decisions are being made and how public funds are being used. I will advocate for Board business to take place publicly whenever possible and for fewer unnecessary closed or in-camera discussions. When confidentiality is genuinely required, it must be respected. Matters that can be discussed publicly should be brought into the open.
Transparency means giving the public a clear view of what the Board is trying to achieve, how decisions are made and whether commitments are being fulfilled.
Accountability
Trustees have a responsibility to ask difficult questions, examine evidence and monitor whether decisions are producing meaningful results for students. I will work to ensure that the Board is accountable for the direction it sets and that district leadership is accountable for carrying out that direction.
Accountability must also extend to the use of public resources. Budget decisions should be clearly connected to student learning, well-being and the district’s strategic priorities. Accountability is about asking the right questions, following through on commitments and ensuring every public dollar is used carefully, purposefully and transparently.
Equity in Action
Every student should have meaningful access to the programs, opportunities and supports they need to learn, participate and thrive. Students experience different circumstances and barriers within our education system. I will ensure that those differences are seriously considered when the Board develops policies, establishes priorities and makes budget decisions.
Equity should not be treated as a separate initiative. It should guide how the Board makes decisions and allocates resources across the district.
My Commitment
Good governance is not about one person having all the answers. It is about building respectful relationships, seeking different perspectives, making informed decisions and remaining accountable for the results.
Llewellyn for SD61 