Melody Pan is one of the Delta school trustee candidates running in this month's civic election. Here are her responses to a questionnaire from the Optimist:
1. Bio – Tell readers a bit about yourself and why you are running for office.
Melody is a registered nurse as clinical nurse educator in community care and informatics in critical care settings with Master of Science in Nursing in leadership degree. I am skilled in project development e.g. policy making; curriculum development with reliable evidence and data analysis to evaluate project to ensure best intended outcome and budget. My child studies in Seaquam Secondary.
2. Most pressing issue – What issue are you most passionate about and what action will you take on it?
With my critical thinking and nursing lens, I notice there are many discussions around one of the curriculum that nursing professional should get actively involved. Nurses are the expert in understanding how to deliver health related education to children according to mental and physical developmental stage. I will suggest the school trustee to obtain nursing consultation on any children health related teaching and utilize nursing profession into health related education.
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?
I believe the discrimination occurs when the limited resources are not distributed fairly to all the stakeholders. As a nursing professional who is skilled in allocation of limited resources in consideration of equity vs quality, I will recommend to review the registration process of said program and to see what the data reveals.
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?
I suggest looking into previous income and expense data and also performing a needs assessment to see where the needs and priorities are. I will assume special needs student support and hiring more Educator Assistant position are the priority.
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?
Nursing profession is very familiar with social determinants of health such as living environment and activities, which have significant impact on community and individual health. As a volunteer citizen in the City Environmental Advisory Committee, I believe working with the city is a good option to address the lack of facility issue in north 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.
I believe the most important role as a school trustee is to ensure making the decision in the best interest of education and the children. I am skilled in project development e.g. policy making; curriculum development according to learners developmental stage with reliable evidence and data analysis to evaluate project to ensure best intended outcome and budget. With my critical thinking and leadership skills, I will have a fresh pair of eyes to look into the education system from a new angle.
