York Catholic District School Board Trustee candidate: Theresa McNicol

Name: Theresa McNicol

Position for which you are running:  York Catholic District School Board – Trustee for East Gwillimbury, Georgina and Newmarket

Outline your background/experience: (100-word limit)

I have been a strong advocate of Catholic education for the last 21 years. I work long hours each week to ensure that your concerns are heard in the classroom, in the school and in the boardroom.  It is my duty to act as your voice within the YCDSB. I have had the pleasure on sitting on different committees at the board level. I have also built partnerships between home, school and the different Parishes in my area.

My years of experience as Catholic trustee, have given me a strong voice and effective leadership skills for dealing with the board.

What are the top four qualities required to be an effective municipal representative? (4 word limit)

1. Accountable

2. Available

3. Approachable

4. Visible

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, maintain safe school environments and advocate on behalf of students and community members in need.

I work long hours each week to ensure that your concerns are heard in the classroom, in the school and at the Board table.  It is my duty to act as your voice within the YCDSB.

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

The most important issue 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.

The second issue in my area/and the Board at large would have be to revisions made to our math curriculum in order to support improve numeracy while looking for financial support to continue our work in literacy.  And, I will push for more funds to be specifically designated to upgrade and maintain our high schools.

As your Catholic Trustee I know that we need to have programs in our high schools that will attract more students to our Board.  For example: Sacred Heart being a Regional Arts School and Our Lady of the Lake as an Advance Placement and a French Immersion Program.  These programs will attract more students for our schools and will stop the declining enrollment in our high schools.

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

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 York Catholic District School Board is declining enrollment both in the Elementary and Secondary panels.  As board we need to realize that we have to have specialized programming that will attract more students to our board. 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. 

The Board will have to address improving the math curriculum in order to support improved numeracy in our schools.

Describe your dream project that would result in a better quality of life in Newmarket:

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 to parents and students? Yes

Should trustees block followers on their board social media accounts? No 

Should there be fixed terms for trustees?  No