By Rebecca Pace
For the first time in years, the position of Centretown school board trustee is being contested.
Current Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Kitchissippi and Somerset Wards trustee Joan Spice is seeking re-election for a third term, but unlike in 2003, there’s a little competition.
Jennifer McKenzie, a professional engineer and mother of three school-aged children, will also be on the Nov. 13 ballot. As school council member at two of the 18 schools within the district, McKenzie says she is the right person for the job because she is an ardent advocate of public education.
“I started to get out more in the community and it gave me strong appreciation as to how important schools are to both our students and community,” says McKenzie.
“I see so many ways in which the school board could be run in a more positive, entrepreneurial, communicative, and collaborative manner.”
If elected, McKenzie says she would work to provide playgrounds and green space at schools – especially in the downtown core. She says she would like to expand academic choice offered to students such as improving the music and math programs.
McKenzie also says the board must recognize the area’s rich multiculturalism in its programming.
But McKenzie may have a tough race ahead of her.
Spice not only has the experience of being the incumbent trustee, but she is also on the board of directors for the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and a board member at the Ottawa School Day Nursery, Inc.
A mother of one, Spice says if she’s re-elected she will work to preserve what’s good about the current system – mentioning French immersion classes and electives.
“We definitely have to fight very strongly for increased funding in certain areas, especially special education and English as a second language,” says Spice.
“Those are the most disadvantaged children and if they don’t get a good start in life they’re not going to succeed. A good education is the foundation for future success.”
However, a shortage of cash may put election proposals in doubt.
After government cuts to enrolment grants and special education funding, Spice says the board has a $32 million shortfall for the 2006-2007 academic year.
Although the board plans to finance the year through reserves and cutbacks, both candidates say they will advocate for more funding from the provincial government and better use of funds.
After visiting schools in the area, McKenzie says she finds that parents are tired of having to fundraise to deliver adequate services.
“If there are needs that are not being met, then I think we need to communicate that to the government.”
However, Spice says before the board can advocate for more education funding from the provincial government, it needs to prepare an analysis of its spending choices – a motion she put forward in July.
She says transportation is an area where the board could petition the government for more funding.
Currently, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board receives $7 million less for transportation than the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board, says Spice.