A public school board incumbent says she’s got things cooking at central office and wants to see how they turn out.
Cheryl Dumont said she didn’t realize how much work a trustee does when she was first elected in 2010 to the board of St. Albert Public Schools. A 40- to 60-hour week isn’t unusual. But her motivation for running in the election is similar to her decision three years ago.
“I’m a parent,” she said Monday, noting her family has military roots. “Our youngest is still in school.”
Initially, she had been very involved in school council and had been encouraged to run for trustee.
Last time she had been reading about local leader Lois Hole and was very impressed by her style. And after retiring from 40 years in the business community, she wanted to serve the community in some way.
Flash forward to 2013. With one term behind her, Dumont wants to finish what she started.
“There are many things we’ve started,” she said.
Among them is the Schools Act, and the collaboration behind it. Dumont said stakeholders are contributing to the new legislation and it’s been working well.
“We’ve been advocates for many of the changes that have been already accepted into the act,” she said.
She said open communication is key, including the community in important decisions, including not just parents and students but the business community as well.
“I think education is kept strong, as boards we are accountable to our voters as elected officials,” said Dumont.
Also, she said effective boards use funds properly and effectively.
Issues in the campaign, noted Dumont, include the responsible use of funds, working with other organizations and the provincial government effectively.
Dumont said she feels she works as a proper trustee.
“I think that you have to be forward-thinking and open-minded,” she said. “I think that (the voters) should expect open communication. Honesty, always.
“Hard work. And I think they should expect that I will take community views into consideration when making decisions that affect children and our community.”
