Two of the three Squamish-based school trustees have decided to run again for seats on the regional board of education.
Rick Price, the current board chair, will be campaigning for the fourth time.
He said he’s excited to be seeking re-election because his time as a school trustee so far has been rewarding.
“The board has a very strong sense of conviction about continuous improvement in student outcomes, and about ensuring learning reflects the needs of this generation of students,” Price said when asked about his accomplishments as a school trustee over the course of the current term.
Price pointed to the recent school district management reorganization to focus the efforts of every department on student learning as another proud accomplishment.
“The aboriginal graduation rate more than doubled since the last election,” Price added.
Laura Godfrey is yet to truly experience what it’s like to win an election as she has only ever been acclaimed. After five years of involvement in the school system at the parent advisory council level, Godfrey decided in 2008 to run in the election to represent the educational interests of Electoral Area D of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. Nobody opposed her. She decided to run again in 2011 and once again she ran unopposed.
“The more people that are engaged in what is going on the better it is,” said Godfrey of rumours indicating someone is thinking of campaigning for the seat she has held for the last six years.
Reflecting back on the accomplishments of the board of trustees over the last three years, Godfrey said the reconfiguration of Don Ross is the issue she believes is her fondest accomplishment. Her oldest daughter went through Don Ross with the original Grade eight to 10 configuration. She was excited for all the right reasons when the tenth grade students were moved to Howe Sound Secondary School.
Godfrey said with just the grade eight and nine students in the school a focus was put on middle learning and that directly benefit her youngest daughter.
Godfrey’s daughter wasn’t the only student who benefited from the change. Godfrey said she got to see first hand how the change was positive for students.
At this point no other school trustee candidates have come forward to run against Price and Godfrey.
Andrea Beaubien is the third Squamish-based school trustee. She is not seeking re-election.
Sidebar:
WHO’S RUNNING (SO FAR)
MAYOR
Rob Kirkham
Ron Bahm
COUNCIL
Susan Chapelle
Peter Kent
Bryan Raiser
Rob Weys
Stephen Fryer
SCHOOL TRUSTEE
Laura Godfrey (SLRD Area D)
Rick Price
