Bowen Islander Jane Kellett ran, and was voted-in as a trustee for School District 45 four times starting in 2002. This election, she has decided to step back from the position and pursue her many other interests, including golf. Without her in the running, there are eight people candidates vying for the five existing positions, but not one of them is from Bowen. Kellett says she hopes that Bowen Islanders will not forget to vote for school trustees just because there is no one from here in the running.
“It is absolutely critical to become informed and vote for school trustees,” says Kellett. “Having a strong board of education is critical for the governance of the public education system.”
Kellett says that the board develops a strategic plan for the district and works with the superintendent of schools to implement the plan and oversee the annual budget. Another important job is to address the needs of the district to the Ministry of Education.
“When you pick candidates for this position, you want to know that they understand the needs of students, because they are driving the way public education is headed. And right now, helping to resolve the labour situation is a big part of that – board members sit on different committees with the ministry of education, and also lobby for the needs of students in the district.”
Kellett adds that working as a school trustee with Bowen students in mind added an extra dimension to the job.
“We’re lucky to be a part of West Vancouver School District. It is one of the highest performing districts in the province, and there are many innovative programs here that have been replicated elsewhere,” she says.
Kellett says that working with the high schools in West Van to make sure that teachers are aware of the extra challenges faced by students from Bowen was one of the things she worked hard on in her twelve years on the school board.
“I think there is a much greater awareness now among teachers about the fact that Bowen students are getting up at 6:30 in the morning just to get to school on time, and that extra curricular activities can be particularly hard because of the transportation system,” says Kellett. “Things are better, I think, but of course the awareness is not always what you would like it to be.”
She adds that a good relationship between the school district and the municipality has allowed for the successful joint management of BICS, which allows for the Bowen Rec office to be run out of the school, some Municipal funding for the community school co-ordinator position and resulted in the creation of the turf field.
“BICS is the only community school in the district,” says Kellett. “So it is important the whoever is sitting on the board understands what that means.”
