Municipal Election 2022 Candidate Questionnaire: Peter Fracassi, trustee, YCDSB
NewmarketToday sent this questionnaire to all candidates (including those acclaimed), requesting a completed response prior to the Oct. 24 election, which would be published when received. Maximum word limits have been strictly enforced, to be fair to all candidates. The responses have not been edited in any way, including for grammar, spelling and clarity.
1. What are the top four qualities required to be an effective municipal representative? (4-word limit)
- Collaboration
- Trust
- Dedication
- responsive
2. Explain why you are the best qualified candidate. (100-word limit):
After 37 years in education all with the TCDSB, coordinating Special needs programs with emphasis on autism I have a skill set required to understand student needs. I have a master degree in Education and have already been a trustee for 4 years and vice chair of a school board. My emphasis and focus in seeking the role of trustee is child centered. The child's education is my number one priority. I will always be responsive to parents and be a liaison between parental concerns and the school boards response to those concerns
3. What are the two most important issues for your ward/constituents? (200-word limit):
- Listening to parents and addressing their concerns
- Busing concerns are important to Newmarket , Georgina and East Gwillimbury. I will work to make sure students are not sitting on a bus for long periods of time wasted and spending that time in the classroom rather than 40 minutes on a bus. I will be adjusting those routes to ensure that does not happen
4. What will you do to ensure you are accountable to your constituents? (50-word limit):
I will ensure that I am accountable to the community by being their voice, their liaison. I will address each parental concern to the satisfaction of each and every parent. I will do this by having the board accountable in communicating with parents effectively and in a timely fashion. Each and every concern will be addressed asap.
5. What is the most important issue for council/school board to address in the next term? (100-word limit):
With this board the key address will be accountability, working environment.
Communication and collaboration. This has been a divided board with much bickering and often referred to as a toxic board. Motions put forth by the incumbent at board meetings lacked rationale and were not conducive to effective governance. The incumbent presently has discrimination codes of conduct against her that are unresolved. This concerns me and should concern the community and the voters
6. Describe your dream project that would result in a better quality of life in Newmarket. (100-word limit):
Number one, i will work towards delivering an education for each child that is top level. As well as a safe and nurturing classroom. I will be immediately dialing in one the first day as trustee to immediately fix this horrible busing service. Children should not be on a school bus for 45 minutes. That must be resolved asap. My first order of action. Parents deserve the best. Their tax dollars must be spent on education, not all this other nonsense presently happening on this board. This board has spent money on issues unrelated to education and not in the (limit reached)
Answer Yes or No (1-word limit):
Are the school board’s equity and inclusivity policies working? no
Are the EQAO and large-scale testing a fair measurement of student achievement? no
Could the school board improve accountability and transparency to parents and students? Yes
Should trustees block followers on their board social media accounts? No
Should there be fixed terms for trustees? Yes
Is enough being done in schools right now for pandemic safety?no
