Election Questionnaire
Why did you decide to run in the 2010 school board election?
I decided to run for re-election because I still have a strong desire to work for the betterment of our school division. Our school division will be losing at least 2 experienced trustees (Rod Giesbrecht and Brian Olynik) who have served our community well, and the thought of at least 3 inexperienced board members could be very difficult? I have the energy, desire and determination to work as hard as I have since the first term I was elected ...except now I have a wealth of experience with me. I'm here to serve the people of River East Transcona as best I can, I include my phone number in my pamphlet not once but twice to better inform everyone that I 'm here to work for them with their education/school/divisional concerns. I have many parents and even those without children who call me from wards other than #5 to ask for my help.
What experience will you bring to complement your role as school trustee?
Since I was first elected 15 years ago, I have served as Board Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of River East Transcona School Division, I has also served on every Standing Committee as chair or member, including Finance, Building and Property, Program and Policy, Personal, Negotiations, Technology, and a number of Ad-hoc committees, including, Senior 1 study, Strategic Planning, and Senior Administration Selection.
I have also served as Provincial Regional Director on the Manitoba School Board Association, as well as other committees within the association.
I have a very good knowledge of all 42 schools, as well as the maintenance and transportation buildings, as well as all who work within those areas. I'm on a first name basis with all senior administration, principals vice-principals, directors and most consultants, not to mention many teachers, bus drivers, pares and maintenance staff. In most cases I can direct those with problems to those who are responsible and can rectify the situation
What are the major issues you would like to stand for and why did you choose these issues?
My objectives:
Committed to review and improve the music program facilities at River East Collegiate, Chief Peguis, and John Pritchard.
Committed to bring Science labs up to Provincial standards at River East.
To advocate for a Divisional Bursary/Endowment program with former students.
Champion to make the Board and its activities more Green.
Work with Administration to make stronger our “Zero Tolerance” policy when it comes to bullying.
To advocate for the recognition of school volunteers who contribute generously their time, skill and energy to the students of our school division
Champion a Division wide Early Years Grandparents Day.
Is there anything in particular you would like to change in your school division? In your ward?
Our school division still has a number of anomalies since amalgamation which the board could look at, including a review of the industrial arts programs, dual track and single track, review of the music facilities in the junior and senior high schools, improve on our "Zero Tolerance" policy when it comes to bullying, champion the continued "greening" of our division, especially board meetings where at present the use of agendas on laptops are prohibited. I would like a hand on approach for those students who are entering grade 10 at River East or Miles Mac and who had some difficulty with some of their grade nine subjects, (only two high schools in our division where grade nines are not part of the student body).
Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?
I take my responsibilities very seriously, I devote my full attention to this task, and I attend many school functions, be it in the mornings, afternoons or evenings. I'm can be reached by phone or e-mail anytime, and on most occasions I'll be the one answering the call. I'm sorry to report that virtually all of the various non-incumbent candidates have attended no board or budget meetings in at least the last term or two. Some possible trustee candidates have suggested significant changes with no indication of how or with what they would replace division funding or programs? Our division, nay our children deserve dedicated and committed board members. Thank-you to all who have supported me over the years, I again ask for your support, confidence and vote on October 27th. Thank-you. Peter Kotyk