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April Leblanc
April Leblanc is a North Bay native who loves her community and cares deeply about public education. With over 20 years of finance experience, she brings the necessary business acumen to compliment the board of trustees. A group of trustees should bring a balance of expertise, experiences new and old, and the ability to listen and respect the voice of others. She is a mother and grandmother; through the years she has spent many hours at the kitchen table helping with homework and projects. She has been frustrated with Math curriculum, standardized testing, and costs of school activities. She recognizes that it is extremely difficult to balance work, family life, kid’s sports, and school work. April is running for Trustee of the Near North District School Board.
Why did you decide to run for (position)?
Why did you decide to run for school board trustee?
Today’s families are complex and so are the needs of their children. I felt the best way to affect change is to become part of the decision-making team. I am a strong supporter of helping others have a voice and I can promise that I will be your loudest champion.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your school board any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would put the money to great use by offering a variety of programming to the students. This year, many parents have been upset that courses and electives have been extremely limited. In the North, our children are not getting enough exposure to the arts and trades. I believe it is important for students to have many experiences throughout their education to prepare them for the future.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your school board faces?
Currently, the school boards greatest challenges are poor communication and leadership. Trust needs to be rebuilt with the community. Saying the words transparency and accountability are nice but still only words. Actions speak louder! We need leaders who are not afraid to speak up, do the right thing, and fight to protect this board. I can't tell you enough that I am that person. I believe the Near North Board can be better and do better.
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
Part of rebuilding trust with the community would be to have more engagement. Allow the community to take part in public meetings and the ability to share opinions. I’m advocating for changes to the existing communication policies to remove these barriers.
That a single trustee may speak with the public regarding their own thoughts/position on topics as long as they are not speaking on behalf of the board.
Public meeting to be advertised in advance and held after normal working hours to allow the community to attend.
Allow for a public question period at the end of meetings that does not require a pre-approved submission a week in advance. Set parameters for the code of conduct, length of time to speak, and guidelines.
Are you a woman who is running for council or school board trustee in Northern Ontario, and would like to be featured on our blog? Let us know.
Heather Garbutt
Heather Garbutt was raised in Sudbury and left to pursue a degree in Fisheries Biology from the University of Guelph. She also completed a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University. She is a career public servant with the last 15 years being spent with the Ministry of Transportation in North Bay in the Environmental Section. The foundation of her work at the MTO is in Environmental Assessment, which is a defined process for informed planning and decision making. Toward ensuring more positive and inclusive work spaces, she is trained and registered as a Positive Space Champion and will soon be a Positive Space Trainer. She is a married mom of 2 kids (11 and 9) and in her spare time, she plays the violin in the North Bay Symphony Orchestra. Heather is running for School Board Trustee for Near North District School Board.
Why did you decide to run for council?
I am passionate about education and very appreciative of the education afforded to me. My interest in the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) began however with my 2 young children who are enrolled in this board. Over the past few years I have been a vocal participant in NNDSB processes that will ultimately impact the future of our city’s youth and determine whether they are ready or not for the next chapter of their educational careers. I am running on my belief that the decisions of the NNDSB need to be, first and foremost, student focused and demonstrate a high level of accountability, transparency, inclusivity and responsiveness.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your community?
I would like to see synergy between the Near North District School Board and the communities represented in the family of schools. Facilities and transportation bear ever increasing costs, as one example but some of these costs could be offset by partnering.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your city faces?
As with all northern communities the local economy is the top of the list of challenges for North Bay. Planning for the student body population is influenced by the ability to attract and retain young professionals and their families.
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
It is my desire to see the Near North District School Board communicate with students in families in a transparent and responsive manner. To achieve this I would like to see fulsome agendas posted in sufficient time that interested individuals can assess what meetings they need to attend. I would like to ensure that the basis of all public decisions be publicly available. As trustee I intend to respond to all requests for information with all of the information available to me and to seek out those details that I am uncertain of.
What is your favourite thing to do in your city?
The North Bay waterfront is beautiful and the sunsets over Lake Nipissing are unparalleled. I like to spend as much time as possible enjoying the natural splendor of this area.
What do you cherish most about your community?
The sense of community in North Bay is tremendous. North Bay has that small community feeling while offering everything that a larger city has to offer.
Where can people find you?
Facebook and Twitter, or through email.