My Priorities

Student Success
Every student learns differently, and success will not look exactly the same for everyone. I want to support an education system that recognizes different learning needs and gives students opportunities to reach their full potential. Students should feel comfortable and supported in their classrooms, both academically and personally, and know that they have someone in their corner. As a trustee, I want to keep student experiences and outcomes at the centre of the decisions I make and the questions I ask.

Support for Students & Educators
Supporting students also means supporting the educators who work with them every day. I want to advocate for accessible student supports, appropriate resources for educators, and opportunities to identify learning challenges earlier. When students begin to struggle, we should be looking for ways to support them as early as possible rather than waiting for them to fall further behind. I also want to listen to educators about the challenges they are seeing in their classrooms and what tools and resources would help them better support their students.

Rural & Community Representation
Saugeen Shores and Arran-Elderslie are different communities with different needs, and both deserve a strong voice at the board table. I want to make sure concerns from across the entire area are heard and considered when decisions are being made. This includes paying attention to issues that can have a particular impact on rural families and students, such as transportation, long bus routes, and frequent bus cancellation days. I also believe communities should understand not only what decisions are being made, but why they are being made and how they may affect local students and families.

Community Connections
Schools are an important part of the communities they serve. I want to explore opportunities to strengthen connections between students, families, local organizations, businesses, and community members. Building stronger connections across generations can give students more opportunities to learn from and participate in their communities, while showing them that the people around them are invested in their success and their future. Strong community relationships can also help create a greater sense of belonging for students both inside and outside of school.

Transparency & Communication
Families and community members should not have to search extensively to understand what is happening within their school board or how decisions may affect them. I want to encourage communication that is clear, accessible, and proactive, particularly when decisions directly affect local schools, students, or families. Communication also needs to go both ways. I want students, parents, educators, and community members to know how they can share their concerns and ideas and to feel that their input is genuinely being heard. Because of this, I have created a padlet which is like an online bulletin board, where anyone can post their concerns and interact with other on topics related to students and schools. This gives a specific spot for anyone, including students, to share anonymously or look into different things that are being addressed. The link is padlet.com/jbatesfortrustee/saugeen-shores-arran-elderslie-input-board-gm1kwk1dqgbjo2ep or you can scan the QR Code below!

Responsible Representation
I see the role of trustee as one of representation. That means listening carefully, asking questions, seeking out different perspectives, and bringing the voices of students and communities to the board table. I will not assume that my own perspective represents everyone. I want to actively seek input from students, families, educators, and community members and use what I hear to help guide the questions I ask and the decisions I make. Above all, I want the people I represent to know that their concerns, experiences, and ideas matter.