Name: Shirley Wilson
Party affiliation (if any): N/A
Education: Currently in final stages of BA in Adult Education at UFV
Occupation: Contract fund development and leadership in the charity and non-profit sector. Previous employment includes BBBS of the Fraser Valley and the FV Child Development Centre.
Previous political experience: Elected to Board of Education in 2005 (three terms served), Director with BC Public School Employers Association (2012-2013)
Residency (city/neighbourhood): Abbotsford
Community involvement: Rotary Club of Abbotsford, Peer Reviewer (Accreditation) with ImagineCanada.ca, various liaison roles with Board of Education. I have been actively involved volunteering with local or regional Boards, local, provincial and national events, and liaising with many children and family serving charities in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.
Marital status/children: Divorced, a son in public secondary school and a daughter in UFV.
Email: Wilson4Trustee@gmail.com
Social media: Twitter - @shirleypwilson Facebook - Shirley P Wilson
Wordpress Wilson4Trustee.wordpress.com
What do you feel are two key education-related issues Abbotsford voters should be considering when choosing trustee representatives in this civic election?
Why, and what would you do to address these issues?
Student success:
Every child counts. I recently heard a speaker talk about the difference between “each” and “all”. We can talk about wanting to ensure all children meet with success. But a much more laudable goal is to ensure each child meets their own potential. Our work at the Board of Education in Abbotsford demonstrates this, and we strive to ensure we are putting the appropriate supports in place. We need this to continue.
We provide additional resources to students who need support, but may not be eligible for additional provincial funding. We want each student supported in their learning. We understand we need to do more to respond early to the needs of each child.
We organize our various staff beyond teachers and principals from custodians to educational assistants to secretaries to bus drivers and more, utilizing our funding appropriately to stretch each dollar…not stretch the individual.
Board Governance:
We are entering a four year term in a time when change for Boards will be certain. Who you vote for will impact decision making both locally and provincially. Are Boards going away? Not likely, but certainly the role we play now may change.
Abbotsford is respected as a Board as we are sound financially and understand our role. As a member of a Board which implemented a strategic plan, we work with the end in mind to prepare students for a lifetime of success. We plan in a fiscally prudent and financially sustainable manner. We work well with what we have.
With shifting demographics in our workforce and in our families, it is important to maintain solid decision making and consistency at the Board table. I ask you to return me to the Board of Education where I can continue this good work.