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PROFILE: Cindy Strukoff, School Trustee Area C, Christina Lake

1.       Please give a brief summary of who you are and why you have decided to run for office. 

I am seeking election as a School Trustee of Christina Lake “Area C” in the Boundary. I have lived in Christina Lake for 10 years with my husband and three children. I have volunteered at my children’s schools for over 13 years as well as the District Parent Advisory Council. 
 
I have decided to run for the office of school trustee in order to bring the community voice back to our Board of Education. I am very passionate about being an involved citizen in our education system and wish to continue my work in supporting public education for the children and families in School District 51.
 
2.       What is your background? Have you held office before? If not what skills do you bring to the job if you are elected?
 
I have been involved with parent advisory councils along with other school events since my children first started school over 13 years ago. I am a founding member of the Boundary District Parent Advisory Council of which I was the chairperson for many years. 
 
Through the Boundary District Parent Advisory Council I have had the opportunity to work with other parents from all our schools to bring the “parent/community voice” to the district administration and board of education. As a result of working to enhance our communication with the district board office parents are now invited to sit on policy, finance and other district committees. 
 
The skills that I will bring to the job are openness and transparency, a desire to create a stronger relationship with the community and our education partners, the desire to support students and teachers, a respect for diverse points of view and a strong background in budget and general accounting principles.
 
3.        What do you think are the top three challenges facing the city/region/school district in the upcoming term?
 
The top three challenges of the school district are developing effective communication with the community, provincial funding and the declining enrollment in our school district.                                               
 
4.       How do you think you can impact these challenges?
 
I believe that we need to continue advocating to the government for more funding to our schools as well as having engagement with our students, parents, teachers and school personnel so that we can be sure that we are targeting the funding we do receive to the areas that will support our learners the most. I believe in making educated, informed decisions. 
 
I am very willing to put the time and energy into researching and evaluating the all the facts so that my vote is based not only on the advice of the school administrators but also outside sources and most importantly, our community. 
 
5.        If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?
 
I would describe myself as being a approachable, dedicated, responsible person who is very passionate about being involved in the education system.  
 
6.       Other comments that you feel are important to the voters.
 
I feel, as many other parents do, that we really need a board of education that fully embraces parent and community involvement and is truly transparent in its decisions. 
 
The British Columbia School Trustee Association lists the responsibilities as a school trustee as: “the job of a school trustee is to engage and listen to their communities so that they may help them guide them in building and maintaining a school system that reflects local priorities, values and expectations. Trustees are directly accountable to the people they serve.” 
 
I fully intend to fulfill my responsibilities by finding ways to engage our community so that they can help guide me in my decisions.