By Janhabi Nandy
The October 2022 election presents an opportunity to elect your school board trustee. Residents of Lowertown belong to one of four school boards, two public, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO); and two Catholic, Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) and Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre Est (CECCE).
The board you vote in is determined by where the school portion of your property tax is directed. In total, the four boards provide 16 possible choices for Lowertown students of which only three are located within Lowertown: York Street P.S (OCDSB), De La Salle (CEPEO), and Ste Anne (CECCE).
Candidates were invited to respond to questions related to their reason for seeking office, their qualifications and their priorities. We did not receive any replies from candidates for trustee at CECCE.
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
Zone 6 Rideau-Rockcliffe, Rideau-Vanier
Depending on the program selected, Lowertown students within the OCDSB catchment are eligible to attend the following schools:
York Street– JK – Grade 8 – English Program with Core French (located in Lowertown)
Rockcliffe Park- JK – Grade 6 – Early French Immersion
Lady Evelyn– JK – Grade 6 – Alternative Program with Core French
Centennial- Grade 4,5,6 – Middle French Immersion
Glashan– Grade 7,8 – Middle French Immersion
Queen Elizabeth– Grade 7, 8 – Early French Immersion
Fisher Park/ Summit – Grade 7,8 – Alternative Program with Core French
Lisgar CI – Grades 9 – 12 – Secondary English; Secondary Immersion
The candidates for the position of trustee in Zone 6 (as their names will appear on the ballot) are: Shannon Boschy, Keith de Silva Legault, Lyra Evans, Anthony Hope, Jennifer Morozuik and Ryan Ward.
Shannon Boschy
Reason for running
I’m running because I believe school boards have drifted far to the left of the political spectrum and need to be balanced with diverse views. Because of this ideological shift, teachers are emboldened to politicize classrooms with their own political beliefs.
What makes you distinct?
I am willing to stand up to political bullies who attempt to use intimidation and slander/false allegations to silence speech.
What are the top three challenges and how would you propose to address them?
Politicized Classrooms;
Failure to honor parental trust bonds: If kids are being taught politics/controversial views this creates wedges between kids and parents. This is wrong
Viewpoint diversity: currently disagreement with leftist dogmas generates accusations of hate, bigotry and escalates conflict. This is unacceptable in a democracy and kids shouldn’t be led by people who use name-calling as a bullying and intimidation tactic.
Do you have any views specific to supporting York St. School?
These issues affect not just every child at York St. P.S., they are affecting every child in the province. We need to focus on fairness for all students and political neutrality in the classroom.
Keith de Silva-Legault
Why are you running for school board trustee?
When I was a student, I was inspired to be a teacher. However, I began to dislike the current state of schools, as it’s a system that allows children to fall between the cracks very easily. Students experiencing mental illness often don’t get the support they deserve.
What makes you distinct?
I’m 22. I am a firm believer that having some younger people on the board brings a new perspective to the table. I have first-hand experience on what it’s like to be a student in the digital age.
What are the top three challenges and how would you propose to address them?
Ensuring school equity in the OCDSB by ensuring that each neighbourhood has enough schools to prevent overcapacity and helping to rebuild schools.
Improving mental health services in schools by providing staff with proper mental health training and providing students of all ages with asynchronous learning options in the case of mental health crises.
Ensuring students are stakeholders in their education.
Do you have any views specific to supporting York St. School?
York Street Public School and many other schools in Zone 6 lost their school councils due to the pandemic. School Councils are essential as they fund all of the more enjoyable and memorable parts of schools for students.
Lyra Evans (incumbent)
Why are you running for school board trustee?
I am running to make systemic change. My goal as an OCDSB Trustee is to identify and rectify the structural and systemic issues at the school board which could negatively impact student wellbeing or academic potential.
What makes you distinct?
As a current OCDSB trustee, I have experience working within the school system to help parents who are having trouble accessing services for their children. I have an understanding of the ins and outs of the procedures and processes, the powers of trustees, and have proven successful in working collaboratively with other trustees.
What are the top three challenges and how would you propose to address them?
The top long-term issue facing the district is the discrepancy between the English (core French) and Early French Immersion programs. By every metric, the English program struggles, with lower class scores, lower rates of student wellbeing, increased rates of split classes, lower rates of G10 credit accumulation by 16, and lower rates of university enrollment. My proposal to address this involves re-envisioning the English program entirely.
My second issue is addressing inequity between schools in wealthy and in low-income areas. From the fundraising for sports, playground and learning extras to the general engagement of parents having the time to read to younger children. The solution is to target additional resources to schools in low-income areas.
My third issue is the environment: Ensuring each school has a comprehensive recycling and composting program and that retrofits are completed with environmental concerns front-of-mind.
Do you have any views specific to supporting York St School?
York St. Public School is one of the schools in need of extra supports to ensure equity, such as supports to help organize a parent council, additional staff to support students who start behind in core subjects like reading, to familiarize students with technology they may not have at home, and funding for equipment like sports equipment and to cover costs of field trips.
Anthony Hope
Why are you running for school board trustee?
I am seeking to ensure the quality of our public education is preserved and to be an advocate for students, parents and school district staff.
What makes you distinct?
Throughout my career, I have sought to work in partnership with those around me. I recognize that I do not and will not have the answer to every problem; therefore, it is important for me to listen and learn from those around me.
What are the top three challenges and how would you propose to address them?
There are several important issues that the next school board will need to address. The top three that I see are:
COVID-19 recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic has really taken a toll on student academic achievement as well as mental and physical well-being. I would implement the Right to Read recommendations to improve literacy among students with special needs, and would make investments in skill development activities like hosting speech festivals, hackathons, etc.
Budget. I would therefore commit to operating on a fiscal plan that balances the budget along two tracks: (1) I would strengthen partnerships with others to lobby the provincial government to reverse funding cuts and (2) I would re-evaluate existing policies to prevent gross waste of public funds while still ensuring appropriate accountability mechanisms are in place for school board trustees.
Safe Schools. Student safety – both physical and mental/emotional – is paramount. I would create a platform in partnership with community partners to house resources on student safety for students and parents.
Do you have any views specific to supporting York St School?
York Street P.S. is a great school, but it is quickly nearing capacity. Part of my commitment is to reduce the cap on class size limits to ensure students get the adequate attention they need from their teachers.
Jennifer Moroziuk
Why are you running for school board trustee?
I have always been an active advocate for autonomy and have held various roles in various councils including EARC (Eastern Area Review Committee) and past Chair of Rideau High School.
What makes you distinct?
Currently I am co-Chair at Ottawa Technical Secondary School and a volunteer for the Overbrook news (Connexions) I want to be trustee because if I win I’ll get paid for what I love to do and if not I’ll keep doing it for free.
What are the top three challenges and how would you propose to address them?
My top priorities would be special needs signage in every park (communication boards); community-school partnerships and day programs for students with disabilities beyond 21.
Do you have any views specific to supporting York St School?
York St is unique. The OCDSB is committed to the success of every student and school. We all thrive when we work together. I am the best candidate for that conduit.
Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO)
Secteur 10: Ottawa – Rideau-Vanier, Rideau-Rockcliffe
L’école élémentaire publique Francojeunesse – maternelle – 6ème année
L’école secondaire publique De La Salle – 7ème année-12ème année (situé dans la Basse-Ville)
Warsama Aden (incumbent)
Pourquoi vous présentez-vous comme conseiller scolaire?
Je suis, père de trois enfants dont deux d’entre eux fréquentent les écoles du CEPEO en troisième année et maternelle-jardin. Avant de rejoindre la table du conseil, j’étais le Vice-président pendant deux mandats au conseil des parents de l’école Francojeunesse. J’ai rejoint la table du Conseil à mi-mandat ou j’ai pu activement prendre part à la gestion de la pandémie.
Qu’est-ce qui vous distingue ?
Il est important pour moi d’avoir un conseiller dont les enfants fréquentent les écoles du Conseil afin d’apporter à la table de décision une perspective différente. Aussi, le candidat se présentant au poste de conseiller scolaire pour le CEPEO doit pouvoir faire preuve d’écoute active, de patience et de compréhension auprès de chaque partie prenante (gestion, employés et parents).
Selon vous, quels sont les trois principaux défis qui doivent être relevés dans les écoles de votre conseil et comment proposeriez-vous de les relever?
Ce (tte) conseiller (ère) sera aussi responsable des écoles de l’ensemble du territoire du conseil.
De ce fait, mon premier défi sera d’accompagner notre Conseil dans la sortie de crises. Le CEPEO a été mis à l’épreuve par la pandémie durant les deux à trois dernières années. Parallèlement, les quartiers 12 et 13 de la ville d’Ottawa connaissent un accroissement de la population francophone.
Le second défi est celui de s’assurer que nos écoles puissent profiter de cet accroissement tout en conservant leur capacité d’accueil.Je suis conscient que construire de nouvelle école ou agrandir les écoles existantes demande un financement, mais aussi que le CEPEO inscrit nos écoles de notre secteur dans ses projets prioritaires. Je m’engage à travailler dans ce sens avec les élus du gouvernement provincial.
Enfin, le troisième défi est celui d’être le lien et le liant entre la Direction de l’Éducation et les parents. Il faut être au plus près des besoins des parents tout en étant être au plus près des défis de l’administration.
Avez-vous des idées précises pour aider De La Salle à être une école prospère et prospère?
Le Centre d’Excellence artistique de l’Ontario formant les meilleurs artistes d’aujourd’hui et demain se trouve dans les enceintes dans l’école.
Je veux continuer d’inscrire notre école dans son temps en appuyant la direction dans ses projets d’infrastructure. Le développement de notre école doit être aligné avec la prospérité sociale. Une prise en compte de l’aspect communautaire, les installations sportives de notre école devront continuer d’accueillir et de prioriser les associations communautaires des quartiers mitoyens.
Sonia Boudreault
En tant que mère de famille et ancienne enseignante, je comprends qu’un climat inclusif et bienveillant est la pierre angulaire du bien-être et du développement sain de nos enfants.
Grâce aux efforts soutenus du personnel dévoué, plusieurs enfants sont véritablement bien à l’école. Il est aussi important de s’assurer que :
Tous les enfants se sentent bien et à leur place à l’école
Nos enfants soient encouragés à miser sur leurs forces plutôt que leurs faiblesse
Les résultats académiques ne soient pas le seul critère de réussite d’un enfant ou d’une école
Les parents et le personnel de l’école aient des liens de communication facile. Les adultes responsables de nos enfants soient bien soutenus afin d’avoir le temps, les ressources et la flexibilité d’accompagner les enfants dans leurs apprentissages
Comme conseillère, je m’engage à écouter vos inquiétudes individuelles et à être votre voix, celle de vos enfants ainsi que celle de notre communauté à la table où sont prises les décisions qui nous impactent au quotidien.
Ensemble, nous trouverons des solutions viables aux problèmes courants afin d’assurer un avenir meilleur pour nos enfants. Je vous invite à consulter mon site web et à me contacter au besoin. https://soniaboudreault.ca/
Candidates for Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) Trustee
Zone 10 – Rideau-Vanier, Rideau-Rockcliffe, Somerset
St. Brigid – JK – Grade 6
Immaculata Intermediate – Grade 7 -8
Immaculata High School – Grade 9-12
Cameron Bonesso
Why are you running for school board trustee?
As a young adult, I can bring a fresh voice to our city’s Catholic school board and inspire more of the Lowertown community to get involved in our education system. Going to Catholic school taught me the value of a faith-based education.
What makes you distinct?
What makes me distinct from the other candidate running for school board trustee in Zone 10 is my commitment to working tirelessly to stand up for the interests of students, parents, teachers and all Catholic ratepayers. As a young person who not that long ago attended Catholic school myself, I have the knowledge about the needs of today’s students. Where I lack in experience, I can make up for with my energy and passion for education.
What are the top three challenges and how would you propose to address them?
The top three challenges that I see needing to be addressed are
increased funding for mental health programs,
a greater focus on improving the quality of the special education programs offered, and lastly,
working with the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority to fix our city’s school bus system.
Cindy Desclouds-Simpson (incumbent)
Why are you running for school board trustee?
I would like to continue the work I started in my time as trustee. My commitment to community service was learned at my parents’ knees and evidenced by my United Way Community Builder of the Year Award for “Growing up Great” in the Ottawa Community in 2015.
What makes you distinct?
My extensive educational experiences and corporate governance and business experiences make me distinct from my opponent. I have over 40 years of experience in education as a teacher, vice principal and principal. I was the executive director of Youville Centre, a high school for pregnant and parenting youth, an accredited mental health centre and a licensed child development centre, in Sandy Hill. My Master’s degree in Educational Administration coupled with my experience make me a valuable asset to the Board.
What are the top three challenges and how would you propose to address them?
If I were to choose three priorities they would be:
School based pandemic recovery with academic and mental health support. The board, in conjunction with its Board of Trustees has developed an extensive mental health and well-being strategy. Ensuring the implementation of the mental health and well-being strategy is critical.
Engagement of parents by promoting an authentic partnership between home and school. The primary educators of children and youth are their parents/guardians. I firmly believe that the partnership between home and school can only exist with authentic dialogue. Promptly responding to parent/guardian challenges by liaising with the school and board personnel is a priority.
Promotion of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. I am committed to overseeing the implementation of our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Framework 2021-2024. The schools I represent are in the heart of the Ottawa community with some of our most diverse families. My commitment to removing systemic barriers to ensure that school and classroom practices reflect and respond to the diversity of students is ongoing.