Election hopes
The Green Party of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»is fielding a well known nameAdriane Carrto run as its city council candidate, assuming Carr is confirmed at the partys nomination meeting Sept. 12.
But the Greens are putting forward a lesser known name to run for school board.
Louise Boutin hopes to land the Green nomination and subsequently secure a trustee seat during Novembers civic race.
The only other Green to win a spot on school board is Andrea Reimer from 2002 to 2005. Reimer switched parties and is now a Vision Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»councillor.
Boutin ran unsuccessfully in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Kingsway in the 2011 federal election. The NDPs Don Davies won the seat. Boutin placed fourth behind the Conservative and Liberal candidates, earning 1,860 votes or four per cent of the vote. I emailed Boutin a few questions about her school board hopes.
Courier: Why do you want to run for a school board seat?
Boutin: I believe that as a representative of the Green party, I can make a difference. I chose the school board as I am passionate about youth and education.
Courier: Do you have kids? If so, are they in school?
Boutin: I have a daughter and she is a high school French teacher with the VSB.
Courier: Have you ever attended a school board meeting?
Boutin: I have attended school board meetings in the past but not the VSB.
Courier: What are your specific goals if you win a school board seat?
Boutin: My first goal is to assess the present issues that are plaguing the system and find an alternative to the per-student funding model. I would like to see knowledge taught that will allow students to adapt to the impact of global ecological, social and economic shifts.
Courier: What do you think you can offer that a candidate from the NPA, COPE or Vision Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»parties cant?
Boutin: The Green Party has a very different approach to education and governance. We do not vote on party lines but rather with our conscience.
Courier: Voters have only elected one Green, Andrea Reimer, to the school board. Do you think you have a realistic chance at being elected?
Boutin: Yes I do. Although I am new to the school board, I believe I can make a difference as a Green Party candidate much the same as Green Party park board Commissioner Stuart Mackinnon has.
Courier: As far as I know, youre not well known in the school system. Do you think you have a high enough profile? How will you raise your profile?
Boutin: You are correct in saying that I am not well known in the school system. I do believe I do have a high enough profile, as I was a candidate in the past federal election as the Green Party candidate in the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Kingsway riding. I am also a realtor in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»and am the co-chair of the program committee for the Kensington Community Centre Association. I do plan to go out and campaign and discuss with parents and others involved in the school system what their thoughts are on changes that need to happen.
Courier: How do you think the current school board is doing?
Boutin: With all the issues surrounding the financial health of the school board, I think there is a lot of work to be done. I believe in a lean team to govern so the monies can flow where it is most needed; in the classroom.
Twitter: @Naoibh
