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PROFILE: Sally Garcelon, 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.
 
My name is Sally Garcelon and I have lived at Christina Lake for 35 years. I graduated from McGill University in 1972.  All five of my children attended Christina Lake Elementary School and Grand Forks Secondary School. For the past nine years I have been the School Trustee for Christina Lake. As a member of the Board, I have worked hard to ensure that all the schools in our district’s communities remain open. Being a parent and longtime community member makes me treasure our rural lifestyle.
 
2. What is your background? Have you held office before? If not what skills do you bring to the job if you are elected?
 
In these times of economic uncertainty, declining enrollment and cuts to the funding of education, it is vital to have strong and trustworthy leadership. My nine years of working with two senior administrations and three different Boards of Education have given me the ability and experience to face the challenges that lie ahead. Working as a team player and striving to reach consensus on tough issues with my fellow board members is very important to me.  
 
Literacy is an issue close to my heart. For several years, I worked as an adult literacy volunteer tutor and as a trustee on the Board of Grand Forks Public Library.  Presently, I sit on the Boundary Literacy Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors for the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL). 
 
3. What do you think are the top three challenges facing the city/region/school district in the upcoming term?
 
Three challenges facing District 51:    
1.       Constant erosion of funding to education;
2.       Impact of economic uncertainty on rural communities;
3.       Declining enrolment.
 
4. How do you think you can impact these challenges?
 
Advocate strongly to government that current levels of funding are not adequate or acceptable. Be creative with the resources we do have, and work as a team with all our partners using consensus decision-making to resolve issues.
 
5. If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?
 
Dependable, dedicated and inspired.
 
6. Other comments that you feel are important to the voters.
 
Most of all, it’s about the kids and what’s best for them. I am passionate about my commitment to provide the best public education possible with fair and equal opportunity for all of the children in District #51. I love my job as School Trustee. Thank you to all the people of Christina Lake for your support over the past nine years. I would be grateful for your vote in the upcoming election. Please come out and vote on election day!
 
Sincerely,

Sally Garcelon