The Nanaimo-Ladysmith school board table will be back to full strength soon, as a byelection will be held this Saturday, Sept. 14, for school trustee.
Voters will choose either Joan Brown or Tim Harris to fill the seat that has been vacant since Charlene McKay resigned in the spring.
On general election day, electors can cast their ballot from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at McGirr Elementary School, Cedar Secondary School, Ladysmith Secondary School, or the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools administration centre on Wakesiah Avenue.
There will also be early voting Thursday, Sept. 12, from 3-7 p.m. at Gabriola Elementary School, and on Friday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the school district admin building.
Those wishing to vote must bring two pieces of identification, and must be Canadian citizens at least 18 years old on voting day who live within the geographical boundaries of the school district.
JOAN BROWN, 65
Occupation/background: Chief administrative officer for Snuneymuxw First Nation. Joan holds a master’s in Indigenous language revitalization from the University of Victoria and has dedicated 40 years to serving students, educators, and her community. She is an active member of SD68’s food security program, environmental committee, and Knowledge Keepers working group. Joan played a crucial role in establishing the co-governed Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh School, the first of its kind in the province, and has been a Knowledge Keeper for SD68 for the past five years. As a frequent keynote speaker, she has shared her insights with SD68 staff and various partner organizations, advocating for community-driven approaches to education.
What will be your priorities if you are elected? Supporting educators and staff: Joan recognizes the increasingly complex challenges faced by today’s educators. She advocates for collaboration and building partnerships that support the whole student, while increasing resources in classrooms to meet the diverse needs of students. Listening to front-line staff: Joan values the insights and experiences of frontline staff, whose dedication is crucial to student success. By listening to their voices, she aims to shape policies that address classroom challenges and improve outcomes for both students and educators. Built environments: Joan emphasizes the importance of thoughtful infrastructure planning. She believes that well-designed physical spaces contribute to a sense of belonging, well-being, and better learning outcomes.
How do you plan to manage the school district budget? Joan believes in collaborative budget planning, involving stakeholders to ensure that the district’s financial priorities reflect the needs of the community. She advocates for prioritizing essential services such as student support programs and professional development, while maintaining transparency and accountability in the budgeting process.
Why should people vote for you? With decades of proven leadership and a commitment to a holistic, strength-based collaborative approach to education, Joan is dedicated to fostering a stronger, more equitable school system that empowers students, educators, and communities alike.
TIM HARRIS, 50
Occupation/background: Previous experience as an education assistant (three years), classroom teacher (seven years), and principal (eight and a half years). Seventeen years of elected council experience for Stz’uminus First Nation. Sat on many boards over the years. Currently a program manager/team lead at Kwumut Lelum for a program called Step Up. We support youths with life skills and prepare them for independence as they age out of care.
What will be your priorities if you are elected? I would be an advocate for more supports in the classroom. I would support mental health supports for students. Find ways to look at local and informal assessments for students. The data from that would guide many of our decisions at the board of trustees level. Lastly, ensuring we are fiscally and financially responsible by reviewing the budgets closely.
How do you plan to manage the school district budget? The first bit of business when it comes to the budget is to review it closely. I will then start to ask those important questions on how we plan to spend in the next 5-10 years. It would be important to know the short and long-term planning of the budget. I’m aware that there is only so much money to go around, so we as a team would need to prioritize. As mentioned above, we can let the student data guide some of our decisions on the budget.
Why should people vote for you? I feel strongly that I would be a great person to have at that table due to my previous experience of being an EA/teacher/principal/council member. It’s those experiences that will allow me to be an asset to SD68. I have the will, time, and passion to be on the board of trustees. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get the job done for all families, students, staff, and stakeholders.
