York Region District School Board Trustee candidate: Kristine Carbis

Name: Kristine Carbis

Position for which you are running: York Region District School Board Trustee

Do you reside in the ward in which you are running (council candidates):  yes

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

I’ve been an education advocate since 2008, a community resource liaison and anti-poverty activist since 2004, an accessibility advocate since 2010 and an active Board Member of Social Planning Council of York Region since 2014, 3 years as treasurer.

I am a Community member of Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee (EIAC) with YRDSB since 2012 and the Chair of the Classism sub-committee, facilitating community conversations to seek out feedback from the community on classism and poverty. I have spoken about living on low income in many different settings and organized and facilitated presentations and conferences to raise awareness of poverty.

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

1. Integrity

2. Responsible

3. Dependable

4. Accessible

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

My priority is students and their health and well-being. That includes their families and the community we live in. Everything comes back to ensuring students have the opportunity to succeed regardless of background, identity or personal/familial circumstances. I have been and will continue to be, a strong voice for Equitable, Inclusive and Accessible Education for ALL Children and Youth in York Region. I believe in grass roots organizing where change starts with hearing from those experiencing the system. Communication is extremely important and needs to work both ways for effective representation for Newmarket.

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

1. Communication - With the challenges over the past couple of years YRDSB needs to earn the trust of community again. This includes making information readily available and easily accessible. Having Trustees that are out in the community and meeting with families and community members to share information and listen to concerns is paramount.

2. Removing the barriers to an equitable and inclusive education for ALL students is extremely important. Students and their families face barriers every day. The board’s responsibility is to ensure students have the opportunity to succeed regardless of background, identity or personal/familial circumstances. This is an ongoing issue and needs to be addressed at all levels. Continuous communication with students, parents, teachers and community is a must. As well, equity training, ethical leadership, and diversity in the schools is another strong step to rebuilding the trust in the school board.

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

I will arrange meetings at schools about things that are happening in the board, have a presence in the community and be available for students, parents and community members to answer any questions or concerns they may have. This can happen by phone, getting together with them or by email.

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

I think earning the trust of the community is the most important issue for the school board. They have put many things in place to start on that road back but still have a ways to go. With more openness and communication it will keep moving forward. Students, families and community are partners in education and need to know they are informed and listened to.

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

My dream project would be for all schools to have social justice days with discussions on what social justice is and how to participate in or start social justice initiatives. Each school would have a student led planning committee that would be comprised of School Board staff, community partners and students. A project such as this could result in building the confidence of youth and children. Youth have a way of thinking outside of the box that is unique and their ideas would definitely result in a better quality of life in York Region and Newmarket.

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 to parents and students? yes

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

Should there be fixed terms for trustees? yes