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School trustee candidate: Alana Cameron

Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District 68: Cameron, Alana – school trustee candidate
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Name: Alana Cameron

Age: 44

Occupation/background: office assistant and volunteer. For the past six years I have been volunteering my time to make my kids schools the places they are today. Most recently I have served as president of the Nanaimo District Parents' Advisory Council.

Why are you running for school trustee?

I am running in order to continue to strengthen the education system in Nanaimo. I believe in public education and want to continue to see some of the great initiatives introduced recently within the district continue and I want to make Nanaimo the place to educate your child.

What three priorities are important to you and how do you intend to tackle these if elected?

Continue working with all stakeholder groups on initiatives that strengthen our system. When we collaborate and work with each other instead of against each other we make things happen. We are creating a stronger foundation by working together.

Continue listening to parents. In my role as DPAC president I have become aware of many issues that affect parents across this district. Parents have a voice in the education of their child that needs to be respected.

Childhood poverty is another issue that affects students across this district. It affects the child's ability to learn, it affects their social interactions within the school itself as well as their self-esteem.

How do you plan to work towards a balanced school budget?

The budget is one of the most difficult issues to tackle. No one will argue that the education system as a whole needs more money right across the province. I have watch over the past few years trustees making very difficult decisions about making cuts to a system that is stretched very thin. I think that when jobs are cut due to lack of funding it has an ultimate impact on the kids and that is why we are here – to educate children.

What do you think it takes to be an education leader in Nanaimo? Describe your leadership or co-working style.

I think to be an education leader anywhere you have to be able to listen to multiple points of view. You have to be able to look at an issue from all sides. You have to be able to remain calm under pressure and be committed. I made a commitment two years ago to give the parents in this district their voice back and I have done that. I donated countless hours to the kids and parents in this district and was able to build partnerships and working relationships with key stakeholders in Nanaimo.