CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: Theresa McNicol, trustee, YCDSB

Municipal Election 2022 Candidate Questionnaire: Theresa McNicol, incumbent trustee (Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Georgina), 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) 

1. Honesty
2. Accountable
3. Accessible
4. Approachable

2. Explain why you are the best qualified candidate. (100-word limit): 

My years of experience, both through volunteering and my position as a Catholic Trustee, has given me a strong voice and effective leadership skills for dealing with the school board. As a result, I am able to focus on providing more resources to the classrooms, maintaining a safe school environments and advocate on behalf of  students and community members in need. 

3. What are the two most important issues for your ward/constituents? (200-word limit):

1. The most important is for the area in which I represent has been and always will be the concerns for equity. Here is an example that people in this area need to know, that my opponent lives in Richmond Hill. Where is the representation for East Gwillimbury, Georgina and Newmarket? We will not have a voice at the Board table. This is not equity for our Northern schools.

2. As your Catholic Trustee I know that we will need to have programs in our schools that will attract more students to our Board.  The new Catholic elementary school that will be build in Queensville should be a STREAM centre for the Northern schools

4. What will you do to ensure you are accountable to your constituents? (50-word limit): 

My priority is to maintain my dedication to the schools and their communities.  I will continue by making myself available to listen to the concerns of everyone with a focus on quick responses and conflict resolution.  I will continue to attend Catholic School Council meetings and events at the schools.

5. What is the most important issue for council/school board to address in the next term? (100-word limit): 

The most important issue facing the YCDSB is the declining enrollment. As a Board we need to realize that we have to have specialized programming that will attract more students to our boards. By having more students means more opportunities for our students. As a Board we need to do a better job on marketing our schools with our parents and the students.  Ensuring that we have the speciality programming that students are looking for. The Board will have to address how to improve the access of after school programming for the Northern schools. 

6. Describe your dream project that would result in a better quality of life in Newmarket. (100-word limit): 

I believe that this question isn’t for a school trustee candidate.

Answer Yes or No (1-word limit):  

Are the school board’s equity and inclusivity policies working? Yes

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? No

Is enough being done in schools right now for pandemic safety? Yes