Re: It's time to overhaul how we vote for school board trustees, March 13

I read with interest Ken Vowles' editorial regarding the election and salary of school trustees.

While I agree with Vowles that the remuneration for school trustees should never have been increased, as a former one-term member of Gloucester Council, I am surprised Vowles would call for an unelected school board since elections are the nucleus of a democracy.

Moreover, why in this day and age when more and more people are growing skeptical about government accountability, would Vowles want to make our schools less accountable to our residents?

The work of a school trustee is less glamorous and unknown than other levels of government, but it is often more rewarding. Our mandate is to set policy for the board and its schools. We determine the annual budget for the board, which includes everything from hiring new teachers to investing in new schools.

We are also entrusted to make important decisions that will have an impact, positive or negative, on our community and our children.

Do we want an unaccountable, non-elected body making these decisions? Or, do we want the opportunity to hold the people accountable for their decisions?

In Ottawa, residents have been demanding transparency and accountability in organizations such as the NCC, so why would we take a step backwards and convert our schools boards to a similar structure?

The simple fact is that schools are a fundamentally important part of any community. It’s where our children learn many of life’s lessons and prepare to become responsible adults, parents, and contributing members to the future of our society.

Do we really want to leave such an important responsibility in the hands of a group of unaccountable and unelected political appointees?

As part of my accountability plan and commitment to the parents and residents in Orléans-Cumberland, I have imposed term-limits on myself and happily rejected the 150 per cent pay raise because our children need that money.

Steve Blais
Catholic school board trustee
Orléans-Cumberland