Delta board of education vice-chair Val Windsor confirmed this week that she is seeking a third term as a school trustee in this fall’s civic election.
“The role of school trustee is one of continual advocacy,” said Windsor, “a role that I have embraced for more than 45 years in my various positions within the education community in Delta.”
Prior to being elected as a trustee in 2011, Windsor was a teacher in the district and the former president of the Delta Teachers’ Association.
One of Windsor’s greatest concerns is education funding.
“With the provincial government studying and probably changing the current funding formula, I am concerned that Delta will againbe on the losing end of any reallocation of funding. Trustees understand that the amount of money in the provincialeducation pot will not be increased which means that some school districts will gain funding while others will lose funding.”
Windsor would like to see the relationship between Delta council and the school board continue to develop, pointing to the track situations in both North Delta and South Delta as areas where progress is being made.
There are many other areas in Delta schools that need continued support in both funding and staffing levels, according to Windsor. She said increasing the graduation rate of vulnerable students is a priority and said the district must ensure student well-being by being proactive in approaches to mental health issues. Mentoring new teachers is also critical to the success for teachers and students, she said.
Windsor becomes the 10th candidate, and first independent, in the race for seven school trustee seats.
Incumbents Laura Dixon and Nick Kanakos, along with newcomer Joe Muego, are part of the Independents Working for You slate. Incumbent Bruce Reid is joined by Randy Anderson-Fennell and Victor Espinozaon the Kids Matter slate, while incumbent Rhiannon Bennett is running with Andrea Hilder and Mita Naidu on the Delta Voices slate.
Trustee Fabian Milat announced he won’t be seeking re-election and trustee Dale Saip has yet to make his intentions known.
Candidate nominations close Sept. 14 and the election is Oct. 20.
