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PROFILE: Ken Harshenin, School Trustee Grand Forks

1) Brief Summary of who you are and why you have decided to run for office:
 
I have lived in Grand Forks for the past 37 years and raised my family here. I have worked in education for the past 40 years, as a school teacher, as vice-president and president of the Teacher’s Association and most recently as a trustee for the Board of Education (School District 51).
 
2) Background/ have you held office before:
 
I have twice been elected as a trustee for the Board of Education, and during the last six years I have served on various committees, including finance, district development, district scholarship, operations, recreation commission, the BC Public School Employers’ Association and the Labour Relations Council.  I also held the position of vice-president and president of the Teacher’s Association in the past.
 
3) What are the top three challenges facing the school district?
 
I believe that one of the most significant challenges we face in our district is the unpredictability of funding from the Ministry of Education. This requires that we work diligently to meet the needs of the many diverse students and families in our area.
 
Other challenges include the under-funding of special education programs and declining enrolment.
 
The recent job action taken by teachers and the response by the Ministry of Education is also of concern to the Board of Education.  We obviously would like to see a positive result.
 
4) How do you think you can impact the challenges?
 
I, along with the rest of the trustees, need to (and must) voice our concerns to the Ministry of Education regarding the lack of sufficient funding available for our district.  As a trustee, I am committed to advocating on behalf of the students, families and staff for a more robust funding formula that will meet the needs of our ever-changing educational community. 
 
This is not a simple task, but one that requires diligent effort.  We also must advocate for more funding for special education programs and look at creative ways of delivering a greater variety of courses and programs at the secondary school level.
 
5) If you describe yourself in three words what would they be?
 
Honest, committed and flexible.
 
6) Other comments that you feel are important to the voters:
 
As a current Board of Education trustee, I have also committed to responsibilities that go over and beyond the scope of the Board. I am a liaison trustee for the Hutton Elementary School Parent Advisory Council (and I have attended meetings regularly). I have helped fund raise and organize the installation of the Hutton Elementary School play ground. I have assisted the Perley Elementary Parent Advisory Council in the installation of their playground.  I have assisted the Grand Forks Secondary School senior construction class on the building of the new storage facility. I assisted the Boundary Central Secondary School in Midway in the shop area and I will continue to do so should they require additional help.
 
I am willing to engage myself to be part of a team and assist in bringing a wider range of courses to our high school, especially at the senior level. 

Over the past six years community members have elected me to represent them as a trustee on the Board of Education. I have worked hard to fulfill that important obligation, and I look forward to continuing in this role.