Byelection Survey Question 2
Do you believe the money following the student to the education that parents choose is an important element of accountability for public education or a threat?
Wards 4 & 7
Joe Degagne:
Parents should have the right to choose.
Dan Penna:
This is an important element of accountability.
Maria-Teresa Vecchio-Romano:
Candidate did not complete our survey.
Wards 11 & 12
Steve Chapman:
Accountability all the way.. In most areas of consumers vote with their wallet. We reward businesses that provides service and quality products with our business. When repairing our car we take time to educate ourselves on our repair choices and the quality of the service we expect. Educating our children is vastly more important than a car and parents should expect that even though we pay education through our taxes it is still our money being invested and our children's future at risk.
Kimberly Cichon:
I support a robust educational landscape where different models of education can thrive. We are not in competition but share a common goal: helping our children reach their highest potential in collaboration with their parents and community.
Laura Dennison:
I firmly believe in choice in education, and the foundation of that choice is a strong, publicly funded system. Alberta’s education system offers three excellent publicly funded options: public, separate, and francophone schools. Speaking from my experience with the separate system, I can attest to the rigorous processes in place to ensure accountability.
The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) submits two key documents to the province annually: the Alberta Education Results Report and Audited Financial Statements. These documents demonstrate that public funds are being used responsibly and effectively to achieve meaningful outcomes. Importantly, these reports are publicly available, ensuring transparency for parents and the community. As a Council Chair, Society President, and parent, I valued having access to these resources to understand how my tax dollars were being spent.
I believe these processes for public accountability are robust. However, as a trustee, I would prioritize ensuring that this accountability remains not only publicly available but also accessible and clearly understood by all. Transparency and trust are the cornerstones of a strong public education system, and I am committed to upholding those principles.
Chantelle Dur:
Catholic tradition upholds the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children, and the principle of funding following the student aligns with this belief. By allowing families to choose the educational setting that best reflects their values and meets their children’s needs, this approach empowers parents to fulfill their God-given role in guiding their children’s academic, spiritual, and moral development.