Julie Austin is seeking to retain her seat on the School District 69 Board of Trustees, representing Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington).
"I have been your school trustee for Area F these past three years," Austin said in a news release. "I am an independent graphic designer and filmmaker garnering national and international awards for children's programming and documentary productions"
Austin lives in Coombs and has one child in Qualicum Beach Elementary School, one in Kwalikum Secondary, two in post-secondary and a son working in our community.
"Their educational journeys have included distance learning, home-schooling and public schools," she said. "Locally, this community has embarked on some wide-sweeping changes. Repercussions of those decisions are being felt throughout our district, many positive and some regrettably not. I was the only trustee who voted against the closure of French Creek Community School, because of financial and educational concerns. This school board needs a voice that will continue to prioritize student learning and experience. Provincially, school boards must raise their collective voice to change how education is funded and ensure that the B.C. Educational Plan and the Provincial Job Skills Blueprint doesn't negate students' opportunities for critical thinking and decrease their range of educational options. We are at a cross-roads in education. We need to question, and we need answers."
Austin said she can be reached by phone (250-752-4469) or e-mail (julie@itreasure.org).
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