As a Vancouver parent, member of my previous PAC executive, and former vice chairperson of the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council, I have been and will continue to be a passionate advocate for Vancouver students, parents, schools, and citizens.

I hope to represent all of our interests as a Vancouver school board trustee, and I seek your vote on November 15.

My involvement with Vancouver schools is extensive and multi-faceted. I understand the issues and processes within the school board, and I am well qualified and experienced to provide the stewardship needed for an efficient and effective running of the board.

I believe that the VSB has to be dynamic, with the ability to address the diverse needs of multicultural students and parents. We need to include all of our students’ voices in our consultation and in decision-making. A student-first trustee listens, reaches out, and creates bridges.

I am a proponent of ending district closure days created by the current Vision-led board. As student-first trustees, we need to keep schools open.

We need to educate the next generation to compete in our complex global economy with relevant skills. I support adding new schools in underserved areas.

As a professional and a businesswoman, I find the lack of transparency and accountability at the board troubling. The Vancouver school board currently has a budget of $565 million. For the financial year ending June 30, 2013, the current board’s budget showed an $11-million deficit. Audited financial statements, though, posted a $5.6-million surplus. It is clear that financial stewardship at the board under Vision is lacking. 

An NPA-led school board would put students first by prioritizing consultation, outreach, and accountability. The Vancouver school board should be a transparent organization. We will work to achieve that.

I am a professional residential real estate appraiser, and hold a Canadian Residential Appraiser designation with the Appraisal Institute of Canada. I have owned and managed Westside Appraisals Inc., a real estate appraisal and consulting company, since 2003.

My qualifications speak for full disclosure, fiscal integrity, accountability, and putting students’ interests first. As a real estate appraiser, I know that schools create great communities that benefit all Vancouver citizens. This is the Vancouver I want.

It is time for a change. Students need to come first to receive a quality education. Parents need a passionate voice advocating for their children.

On November 15, vote for Sandy Sharma, Kirk LaPointe, and the NPA team. It is a vote for students first.