BACCHUS, Patti
Vision Vancouver

Long-time public education advocate Patti Bacchus is seeking a seat on the Vancouver Board of Education to continue her work of standing up for public schools that are staffed and equipped to meet the learning needs of each and every student, regardless of personal circumstances. As a parent, Patti has worked individually and through school Parent Advisory Councils, the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council and groups including Vancouver Save our Schools, Families for School Seismic Safety, the BC Society for Public Education and Vancouver Parents for Successful Inclusion to improve learning conditions for all students.

Working closely and respectfully with communities, parents, students and employee groups, Patti will demonstrate leadership and advocacy in increasing public confidence in Vancouver schools by ensuring decisions are made through transparent and inclusive processes. Please vote for strong public schools by voting for Patti Bacchus on November 15.

Contact

Phone: 604-737-2282

Fax: 604-737-0221

E-mail: info@votevision.ca

Website: www.votevision.ca

Financing disclosure statement (269 kb)

BARGEMAN, Bill
COPE

I am asking for your support as one of the COPE, Vision & Green candidates to return progressive government to Vancouver.

I’ve lived in Vancouver for 40 years, and taught at Tupper and Gladstone schools for 30, where I learned how important well-funded public education is for our children and for a democratic society.  I learned that when students and parents engage in public education, the quality and relevance improves.  I treasure the diversity of these schools and the growing culture of inclusion.  I developed the understanding that no two children learn in the same way and that educators need the resources to meets all students’ needs. I served as vice president and president of the Vancouver Secondary Teachers’ Association and worked with teachers and administrators throughout the district gaining a thorough understanding of the challenges facing Vancouver’s schools. 

Help your COPE, Vision & Green candidates create Schools for Everyone. 

Contact

Phone: 604-255-0400

E-mail: cope@cope.bc.ca

Website: www.cope.bc.ca

Financing disclosure statement (164 kb)

BLAKEY, Al
COPE

I am asking for your support as one of the COPE, Vision & Green candidates to return progressive government back to Vancouver.

I am a retired teacher with 33 years experience on the teaching staff in Vancouver and nine years experience on the School Board of Education. In my nine years on the Board, I and my COPE colleagues, have actively advocated for the students in our classrooms, for increased funding; improved class size; open and transparent decision-making; seismic upgrading; improved parent, student and teacher consultation; anti-racism and anti-homophobia programs; ESL programs and strong labour relations. We will continue to work on these issues, and will continue the important advocacy for our schools, which the NPA refuses to do.

Help your COPE, Vision & Green candidates create Schools for Everyone.

Contact

Phone: 604-255-0400

E-mail: cope@cope.bc.ca

Website: www.cope.bc.ca

Financing disclosure statement (166 kb)

BOUEY, Jane
COPE

I am asking for your support as one of the COPE, Vision & Green candidates to return progressive government to Vancouver.

When my son was assessed with special needs, I advocated to overcome barriers that prevent students from getting adequate support. From 2002-2005, I was a COPE School Trustee on the  Board that stopped provincial funding cuts to inner city schools. I played a key role in developing the Board’s groundbreaking anti-homophobia work,  chaired the Education and Student Services Committee, and have been active on local and provincial committees on Aboriginal education, safe schools,  special needs, and childcare. I am a member of Vancouver Parents for Successful Inclusion, the Vancouver Public Education Project, and the VSB Pride Committee.

My community work includes local literary events, literacy tutoring, a term on  my housing co-op board, and  co-managing an independent bookstore.

Help your COPE, Vision & Green candidates create Schools for Everyone.

Contact

Phone: 604-255-0400

E-mail: cope@cope.bc.ca

Website: www.cope.bc.ca

Financing disclosure statement (163 kb)

CLEMENT, Ken
Vision Vancouver

Mr. Clement, Ktunaxa First Nation (Cranbrook) has resided in Vancouver for 25 years. His experiences through residential school have contributed his resilience and strong community leadership.

Mr. Clement’s community involvement within education, health, housing, and social justice issues have allowed him to assist the Vancouver community towards always moving forward.

Within Vancouver’s School Board, Mr. Clement will provide the specialized knowledge that will bridge the gap between the diverse cultural communities within Vancouver.

Involvements:

• Healing Our Spirit HIV/AIDS Society, Executive Director
• Lu’ma Native Housing, President
• Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) Chair
• National Aboriginal Council on HIV/AIDS, Co-Chair First Nations Caucus,
• Vancouver Coastal Health Aboriginal Health Committee
• Vi Fineday Transition Shelter Society, Board Director
• Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, President
• Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society, Board Director

Achievements

• The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal 2002
• UBC School of Social Work Graduate

Contact

Phone: 604-737-2282

Fax: 604-737-0221

E-mail: info@votevision.ca

Website: www.votevision.ca

Financing disclosure statement (287 kb)

DENIKE, Ken
NPA

Ken is Past Chair of the Vancouver Board of Education.  A number of times he has chaired the Board and is recognized as a strong advocate for high-quality public education and fair funding for public schools.  During this term he successfully lobbied the Federal government to fund Settlement Workers in schools.  Ken also serves as director representing trustees across the Province on the BC Public School Employers’ Association and is liaison for Metro Boards.  Ken was on the team that successfully negotiated the first provincial contract with teachers in 2006.  The contract comes up for re-negotiation during the coming term and will require sensitive handling to achieve another mutually agreed upon contract.

Ken graduated from the University of British Columbia’s School of Community and Regional Planning as well as the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.  He is faculty emeriti at UBC and recipient of a number of awards.

Contact

Phone: 604-875-8897

E-mail: kdenike@npavancouver.ca

Website: npavancouver.ca

Financing disclosure statement (180 kb)

GIBSON, Carol
NPA

Elected to the Vancouver School Board in 2005, Carol serves as vice-chair of the Board, chair of Metro Branch of BCSTA, an appointed member of the BCCT Council and Board representative to BC Public School Employers’ Association. 

A graduate of UBC, Carol worked for over 30 years as an educator, analyst and administrator.   She began a career in early childhood education, specializing in physical education and child development.   Following graduate school, she worked in post-secondary administration first as a senior analyst and later as department head responsible for scholarships, bursaries and government student loans.

Carol is committed to: high quality, effective learning environments for every student; professionalism, accountability, and fiscal responsibility; informed advocacy with governments to enhance learning opportunities in public education; transparent decision-making, informed by public consultation, research and analysis; and a learning organization that challenges students, teachers, administrators and trustees to be lifelong learners. 

Contact

Phone: 604-561-8015

E-mail: cgibson@npavancouver.ca

Website: www.npavancouver.ca

Financing disclosure statement (198 kb)

GREGSON, Sharon E.
Vision Vancouver

Sharon Gregson was first elected as a Vancouver Board of Education Trustee in 2005 and is now running for re-election with Vision Vancouver.

Sharon’s work has involved advocating for quality, affordable care and early learning for Vancouver children.  She supported the Garibaldi and Queen Elizabeth Annex parents when their schools were threatened with closure, advocated for new funding sources for UBC schools, pushed for opportunities for input into the Educational Facilities Review, and supported teachers who spoke out against high school classrooms that exceeded size and composition guidelines.

In seeking a position on the School Board, Sharon’s focus is on re-building confidence in public education, ensuring support for children with special needs and pushing the provincial government to fast-track seismic upgrading dollars.

Sharon lives in east Vancouver with her four children.

Contact

Phone: 604-737-2282

Fax: 604-737-0221

E-mail: info@votevision.ca

Website: www.votevision.ca

Financing disclosure statement (351 kb)

HANSEN, Clarence
NPA

Clarence Hansen has a Masters degree in school administration with 34 years of experience as a teacher and principal.  Clarence is a recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the Government of Canada for outstanding volunteer work in the community.  After retiring as a teacher and principal with the Vancouver School Board, Clarence was elected as a Park Board Commissioner, finishing his term as chair.  He is currently Chair of the Vancouver School Board.

His accomplishments as a trustee to date have included an emphasis on fiscal responsibility while ensuring students’ needs are being met in a sustainable manner.  In working with all levels of government, Clarence and his NPA colleagues have emphasized cooperation and collaboration. This approach has brought in much additional funding to enhance programs and expand facilities in the Vancouver school district.

Re-elect Clarence Hansen.

Contact

Phone: 604-875-8897

E-mail: chansen@npavancouver.ca

Website: www.npavancouver.ca

Financing disclosure statement (189 kb)

HASKELL, Peter Raymond

In Metro Vancouver the 2,600 homeless include 94 children.  What responsibility does the Vancouver School Board feel that it has towards them?  Most children in Vancouver are responisable to the Vancouver School Board but does it work the other way around?

Also, from at least 1968 tru 1972 Mrs. Sharp ran a dyslexia program at McBride Elementary School and yet the Vancouver School Board has no record of this program ever existing.  Why is this so?

I am also on the ballot under Park Commissioner.

Contact

E-mail: Haskell_10@hotmail.com

Financing disclosure statement (289 kb)

HOLDEN, Heather
NPA

Heather is currently an elected Vancouver Park Board Commissioner and served as Chair in 2006.  She is also a Vancouver Library Board Trustee and a board member of The Nature Trust of BC.

Heather values lifelong learning:  her high quality public school education allowed her to attain a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo.  She then went on to become a Professor at the National University of Singapore and a BCIT instructor before becoming an Investment Advisor at ScotiaMcLeod.

Heather will work hard to ensure students and teachers have the tools and learning environments to thrive in an increasingly competitive economy.  She believes that it is essential to support collaboration with other government agencies and community groups.

Heather is particularly excited about the movement to increase community use of school facilities to meet demand for youth activities, seniors programs, community learning, and other community initiatives.

Contact

Phone: 604-836-5699

E-mail: heather@heatherholden.ca

Website: www.heatherholden.info

Financing disclosure statement (295 kb)

LE GALLAIS, Eileen
NPA

Born and raised in Vancouver, Eileen graduated from John Oliver. While teaching and raising a family, she earned a Bachelor and Master of Education degrees at UBC.  Eileen has over 30 years experience with the Vancouver School Board as an Elementary and Secondary Teacher, Department Head and ESL Consultant.  Further professional achievements include piloting an ESL Pre-Employment program and an ESL IB program.  She was responsible for the testing and placement of International students as well as teaching at SFU.

Additional experiences include, BCTF Associate, Red Cross, John Howard Society, Vancouver Association for Restorative Justice, Family Court Youth Justice, UBC Crane Library, and UBC committee for Alumni Awards.

Eileen is a proud mother of three, and has four grandchildren currently in Vancouver schools.

“My goal as a trustee will be to ensure that all available resources are applied to the best interests of Vancouver students.”

Contact

Phone: 604-875-8879

E-mail: elegallais@npavancouver.ca

Website: npavancouver.ca

Financing disclosure statement (472 kb)

LOMBARDI, Mike
Vision Vancouver

I believe in a public education system that helps all students realize their potential so that they can become active members of our democratic society. As a progressive school trustee I will provide leadership, advocacy, and action to strengthen an inclusive, dynamic, and sustainable public education system. Throughout my 35 year career in education I have been a passionate advocate for public education. In every capacity—as a teacher, as an education leader, and as a parent activist—I have worked tirelessly to support and improve our public schools.. My priorities include: building confidence in public education, promoting program alternatives and options, engaging the community in genuine consultation, preserving neighbourhood schools, reducing class sizes, improving services for students with special needs, seismically safe schools, equity and access, increased education funding, and environmental sustainability. If elected, I will use my knowledge, skills, and experience to put Vancouver students first.

Contact

Phone: 604-737-2282

Fax: 604-737-0221

E-mail: info@votevision.ca

Website: www.votevision.ca

Financing disclosure statement (250 kb)

NANCE, Margit
NPA

Margit Nance is a post-secondary continuing education professional and a producer of documentary films with over thirty years experience in the Vancouver, national and international arenas.  She currently serves on the Research Ethics Board of Simon Fraser University and served a four-year term on the BC Board of Parole.

She is a seasoned leader in bringing together diverse points of view around critical issues affecting the community, building consensus and following through with concerted action.  Among numerous education and media awards, she was honored as Vancouver YWCA Woman of Distinction in Communications and Public Affairs.

Margit is particularly committed to aboriginal education and youth at risk and to effective collaboration with other levels of government, parents, teachers, and the community.  She is passionate about lifelong learning and integrating learning environments for communities, from youth to seniors to new immigrants.  The goal is excellence in education in Vancouver.

Contact

Phone: 604-875-8897

E-mail: mnance@npavancouver.ca

Website: npavancouver.ca

Financing discosure statement (175 kb)

SINGH, Alvin
COPE

I am asking for your support as one of the COPE, Vision & Green candidates to return progressive government to Vancouver.

For the last seven years, I have campaigned for safer schools, more student engagement, and better education.

I want a Board of Education that works with all stakeholders, especially students; a Board of Education that is transparent. In 2001, I helped found a student-based group that successfully campaigned for seismic upgrades of at-risk schools. But since then, upgrades have ground to a halt, parents are left in the dark, and student engagement has ceased.

My entire education has been in Vancouver. I have seen what the Trustee’s decisions mean for students in classrooms across our city. I will continue to advocate for student input and transparency in decision-making, and for more options for education in Vancouver's schools

Help your COPE, Vision & Green candidates create Schools for Everyone.

Contact

Phone: 604-255-0400

E-mail: cope@cope.bc.ca

Website: www.cope.bc.ca

Financing discosure statement (164 kb)

SINGH, Lakhbir
NPA

Dr. Lakhbir Singh is a family doctor, located in East Vancouver.  He is a proud product of the City of Vancouver’s school system, having attended Hastings Elementary School, Templeton Secondary School and the University of British Columbia. 

Dr. Singh considers Canada his home country and has shown he is willing to work hard to defend it’s values, having served nine years in the Canadian Navy as a Medical Officer.

Dr. Singh acts in several teaching roles;  he marks certification examinations for the Canadian College of Family Practice and instructs physicians at the UBC Continuing Education Department.  He has two nephews in the Vancouver school system.

Dr. Singh seeks to improve our public school by consulting all stakeholders; students, parents, teachers, principals, and taxpayers.  He is dedicated to finding solutions to some of the more pressing issues facing schools, such as ESL delivery, seismic upgrades to schools and retention of students.

Contact

Phone: 604-833-1976

Fax: 604-301-1566

E-mail: lsingh@npavancouver.ca

Website: www.npavancouver.ca

Financing disclosure statement (176 kb)

STARK, Robert Allan

I am a former employee Vancouver School District, with 30 years of experience. I was dismissed for attempting to blow the whistle on malfeasance committed by District officials that I witnessed. Alleged perpetrators and their accessories were quietly removed or resigned.

The reasons for my termination were based on unfounded allegations which rendered me to be deemed “permanently unemployable” and as a first healthy man in Canada, I receive CPP disability pension. All this is contrary to the public interest and a clear evidence of improprieties.

I gained unique experience when working in Vancouver schools, learned about management and labour relation, about loyalty and cover-ups. I built my integrity on honesty and search for the truth.

There are many aspects of operation of a School District which could be significantly improved and I will do my best to propose them and make sure that they are implemented.

Contact

Phone: 604-738-1892

E-mail: latarnik@mac.com

Financing disclosure statement (172 kb)

WONG, Allan
COPE

I am asking for your support as one of the COPE, Vision & Green candidates to return progressive government to Vancouver.

I am a father of four; two in elementary, two in secondary.  After graduating from UBC, I taught in Vancouver area public schools for five years, and have worked at Telus for twenty.

As a three-term Trustee, I advocated for public education and ESL and Special Needs students. I was chair of the School Board Committee that initiated Vancouver’s seismic upgrades.  I also advocated for properly maintained schools that are safe and conducive to learning.  I am a current and past member of the Bicycle Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee on Cultural Diversity and the ESL Advisory Committee.

My goal is to work with the community for an open and transparent School Board budget and Facilities Review process.

Help your COPE, Vision & Green candidates create Schools for Everyone.

Contact

Phone: 604-255-0400

E-mail: cope@cope.bc.ca

Website: www.cope.bc.ca

Financing disclosure statement (163 kb)

WOO, Sophia
NPA

Sophia is running for School Trustee because she realizes the momentous impact that a high-quality and comprehensible education has on our future generation.   She confirmed this realization in her 15 years work experience as a trained mental health clinician and volunteer work with the Rotary Club, Community Police and Lions Club.

Sophia is an objective and non-partisan analyst, able to make sense of complex issues.  Her goal is to attain a safe, respectful and rewarding learning environment for all students.  As a School Board Trustee, Sophia will promote cultural harmony, school safety and emergency preparedness, positive parent, teacher and student relationships, healthy living, and open and transparent communication.

Sophia immigrated to Vancouver in 1978.  She holds a Master Degree in Social Work, a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology.  She is also a Paul Harris Fellow and is a recipient of the Outstanding Chinese Women award.

Contact

Phone: 604-862-6870

E-mail: swoo@sophiawoo.com

E-mail: swoo@npavancouver.ca

Website: www.sophiawoo.com

Financing disclosure statement (219 kb)