MaryAnn Mortensen’s Campaign Platform

"As a parent of two children in New Westminster attending Connaught Heights and Lord Tweedsmuir, Chair of the District Parent Advisory Council, member of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, and as an active volunteer in our school district and in the community, I have a unique perspective on all our schools and the community.  Public Education in New Westminster is vital to our children and our community.  We need positive change on our School Board and I joined Voice to be that positive change.  Be the change you want to see."

MaryAnn Mortensen, Voice Candidate for School Trustee

As your trustee, I commit to achieving the following goals:

Students First

Child-focused decisions made in consultation with teachers, and all school personnel, parents/guardians and the community.  Healthy schools that foster a love of teaching and learning are important to the health of our community.

• One size does not fit all - Support and grow our Programs of Choice

• Ensure that all our students receive early assessment  

• 21st Century Learning - Appropriate use of new technologies as tools to support and enhance learning in our classrooms and tailored to the specific needs of our students

Schools

We have waited for ten years for our new high school and are now on the path to have a new elementary, middle and high school built in our City.  Good leadership is necessary to steward the Capital Project and consulting on the design build of our schools will expedite the process.   On Saturday November 19th, make Voice your stewards of New Westminster School Board.

• Breaking ground on the three new schools planned for New Westminster

• Following the final announcement to proceed with Capital Project construction - undertake immediate consultation with the John Robson and NWSS school communities on the design build process to expedite the construction process

• Following consultation, the prompt development of a plan to expedite the construction of our schools

• Upgrading existing schools including seismic upgrades and removal of any hazardous materials used in previous construction

Home and Family

We know the value and importance parents/guardians play in their child's education.  Let's build relationships that foster trust, engagement and achievement for our children.

• Commitment to 100% Parent Advisory Council meeting participation

• Meaningful reporting to parents/guardians

• Welcoming school communities

Communications 

How we communicate is vital to our school communities and the wider community.  We know there are gaps in the communication system in New Westminster and we will address them!

• An audit to identify gaps in communication with parents/guardians

• Encouraging Parent Advisory Council and community input to implement the Neighbourhoods of Learning Initiative at our new schools

• Open dialogue with our teachers, staff and home

 Progressive and Positive Management 

Did you know that New Westminster School Board does not have a Strategic Plan?  A Mission and Vision statement is essential to creating policies that all 'education stakeholders'  will invest in.  Voice will create a Strategic Plan in consultation with all our school personnel, parents/guardians and the community.  Put your trust in Voice.

• Improving the Business Company’s performance and restoring public trust in the Business Company by ensuring that matters are dealt with transparently and at arm's length

• Governing practices that are free from conflict of interest - Conflicts of interest are inevitable and to be expected, especially and in a City our size, but board members must declare their conflicts and remove themselves from discussions on matters of real or perceived conflict of interest

• Developing strategies for a better education future in the district - For example, sharing resources with other districts to keep more education dollars here in our New Westminster classrooms  

• Making New Westminster the best place to learn and work!