Daniel Boisvert is one of the Delta school trustee candidates running in this month's civic election. Here are his responses to a questionnaire from the Optimist:
1. Bio – Tell readers a bit about yourself and why you are running for office.
My name is Daniel Boisvert. I was born and raised in Ladner and currently call Tsawwassen my home. I have been a resident of Delta for more than 40 years. Professionally, I am a Notary Public with an office in Tsawwassen. I have two children who each attend public school in Delta. I am running for school board to make a positive difference in my community.
2. Most pressing issue – What issue are you most passionate about and what action will you take on it?
There are several pressing issues, but I feel that improving communication is the most pressing issue. Proper communication relates to everything the school board does. We need to engage more with parents, teachers and children. Everyone needs to be engaged so that we may find common ground, that way, we can deliver better learning outcomes for all children while offering a diverse range of affordable extra-circular activities.
3. The Delta school board has been able to bring additional per-pupil funding and revenues by attracting out-of-district students to Delta’s specialty academies. Should these programs be made free for Delta residents without having to apply for special exemptions?
Obviously, we would like to offer as many programs as possible without having to charge Delta Families additional fees. We are committed to reviewing these programs to see what can be done about costs. The Achieving for Delta Team wants to use their knowledge and past experiences to come up with fresh ideas when it comes to funding education and extra-circular programs.
4. The district has seen steady increases in the number of students from other countries in the International Student Program. By 2016/17 revenue climbed to just over $10 million. Part of that money has now gone into offsetting budget deficits. Do you support using those revenues for the operating budget and, if not, where should those monies be targeted?
This is quite a simple question to answer. There is only so much money available to be spent within the School District each year. That money comes from a variety of sources. What matters is how efficiently and effectively that money is allocated to the benefit of our children. Our team, Achieving for Delta is committed to ensuring that every dollar possible is put directly into educations and programs for our children.
5. The school board is proposing to work out a land deal with the City of Delta to build a new track facility in North Delta. Many other schools in the district will still be without upgraded tracks. Do you feel corporate sponsorship may be a possibility or are there other options you believe can be explored?
Achieving for Delta is the only team that has a comprehensive plan to upgrade track and turf fields at various schools. We will engage the City of Delta to take responsibility of these fields; both the cost to upgrade and the cost to maintain. By having the City of Delta provide money and expertise we, at the school board, can put even more of our budgets to programs for our children. This is a partnership that has worked well in other cities in British Columbia and we know it can work well in Delta.
6. As a candidate for trustee, please explain the role of trustee and explain why you among all of these other candidates should be elected to it.
The most important thing any candidate should understand is that they are part of a team. There are seven Trustees to be elected and their job is to work together putting aside any differences, prejudices, or politics to act collectively in the best interests of public education. This is paramount. No one trustee is more important than any other. I have served as a director for many years on other boards and my experience has shown me that great things can be achieved when we all work together. I believe that through honest collaboration we, as Delta’s School Board, can deliver on even more than we collectively promised in this election campaign. As a united team of Trustees, we can make public education in Delta a beacon for other School Districts to follow. We already live in one of the greatest cities in the world. Together we can make it better by educating our children to be the great leaders of tomorrow. I ask that you give me your vote and trust that I will follow through on building a great team for your children.
