Running for RR District School Board: Dianne McCormack

Political/Community Experience:
I am an active volunteer in the local school and at numerous community events. I have many years experience on various boards: I currently sit as a director on the KidSport Rainy River board (which services the Town of Rainy River to Morson to Stratton), have done so since its inception and was part of the process of establishing that chapter here; I have seven years on Riverview School Council as chair and secretary; and six years on Rainy River Playschool Inc. Board as president, secretary and treasurer. My involvement with Rainy River Playschool Inc. includes hundreds of hours working to bring a licensed child care center to the west end of the district. This project has been completed with success with the opening of the Learn Laugh and Play Children’s Center.

Why are you running for office?
Education has been important to me for most of my life. I chose to become a qualified teacher with the goal of making education/school an enjoyable experience. I took time away from employment as a teacher of other people’s children and concentrated on teaching my children, until they reached school age. At that time I returned to teaching in the school system. I have many years experience “on the front lines” but have always had questions and concerns about what was happening at the Board level. I have had an interest in working for quality education at that level for many years but because I can not teach and be a Trustee at the same time I have, until now, chosen to concentrate on teaching. I am ready now to take what I know as a parent and teacher and challenge myself. I am ready to learn about the inner workings of the education system and try to effect positive changes and developments in education in our district and specifically in our local schools.

What do you hope to accomplish on the school board?
As a classroom teacher and parent I feel that I have grassroots experience that will benefit the entire board when it comes to decision making and improving the system for all. I hope to address concerns specific to our schools, students, parents, teachers and communities, making decisions that benefit all and enhance the education of our children. My goal is student success, Board wide excellence and finally province wide equity.
That being said, I can tell you that the Early Learning Program is one specific change already being implemented across the province that could have a significant effect on our existing child care center. It is an issue that I will be watching closely and hope to be able to work with the Board to make the transition as positive as it can be.

If elected what do you plan to do about it?
I can not, in all honesty, make grand promises at this time because my knowledge of the Board’s role is limited. I can promise to work towards learning everything possible about all aspects of the role and responsibilities of a trustee, to continue to be knowledgeable of what is happening at the grass roots level (what does or would work best in our schools/communities) and to use that knowledge to guide decision making to enhance education.

Do you have a plan or platform you are running on?
Quite simply stated my platform is “Equity in Education and A strong voice for education in the west end of the district.” A trustee participates in making decisions that benefit the entire board district. My first priority, however, will be to represent students, families and schools and their staff in the Municipalities that have the opportunity to vote for me. Our schools maybe smaller but our children and communities are just as important as the larger ones. Small rural schools with declining enrolments and students spread out over a large geographic area have some very specific and unique needs that need to be addressed today and everyday. We deserve the time and attention afforded to all others within the district and do not deserve to be “put on the back burner” because we have fewer voices. My goal is to have our voice heard just as clearly as those areas and schools with greater numbers and in closer proximity to the board office.
All reasonable efforts must be made to provide us with the best quality of education possible, under the circumstances, as delivered anywhere else in the province. Excellence in education is the result of an effective partnership between all stakeholders. With a cooperative effort and strong representation we will have strong effective schools with strong effective learners who will become the foundations of strong, effective and viable communities.