Byelection Survey Question 4

Do you believe our school board is currently transparent enough with parents and taxpayers? What would you change?

Wards 4 & 7

 

Joe Degagne:

 

Transparent enough is hard to define. Definitely depends on the subject matter.

 

Dan Penna:

 

The Calgary Catholic School District is the opposite of transparent. They refused to disclose why a trustee was disciplined or why she resigned. They refused to disclose why the Chief Superintendent resigned and why he was rehired. They hold too many in camera meetings. They publish minimal notes. They make minimal effort to hold meetings when people can attend. They do not use the internet effectively to communicate with parents and stakeholders. They do not publicize their existence or their role. They are complicit in restrictive campaign election rules that make it very difficult for incumbents to be defeated,. All these things can change.

 

Maria-Teresa Vecchio-Romano:

 

Candidate did not complete our survey.

 


 

Wards 11 & 12

 

Steve Chapman:

 

I am not sure you can ever be transparent enough when you are dealing with massive amounts of tax dollars and children's futures. School board decisions usually slip under the radar with very little reporting. Trustee meetings are sparely attended by outsiders and almost never by parents. Unlike City Council meetings they are almost never reported on by media. Most school board meetings cover a substantial number of items "in camera" with no reporting or minutes as to the outcome of what was discussed. In camera meetings should only be used for items that absolutely must be kept private for the time being but still publicly reported on once the urgency is passed. It is up to the board to go above and beyond to ensure their constituents are fully aware of what issues are coming up , what was discussed and what outcomes are occurring.

 

Kimberly Cichon:

 

Managing a small business taught me the value of continuous improvement in efficiency. In the same way, transparency in how public funds are used is crucial to earning the trust and confidence of stakeholders.

 

Laura Dennison:

 

I believe the school board is doing a good job of being transparent. Over my 16 years as an involved parent, I’ve had access to the information I needed to support my children’s education. However, the challenge may lie in helping parents better understand and navigate the available information.
As a Catholic community, we value the strong relationship between parishes, families, and schools, recognizing parents as the primary educators of their children. School communities are always stronger when parents have the information they need to make informed decisions. Ensuring continued transparency and fostering better understanding would be a priority for me as a trustee.
Regarding taxpayers, the CCSD demonstrates accountability by submitting the Alberta Education Results Report and Audited Financial Statements to the province annually. These documents ensure public funds are being used effectively and responsibly.
As a trustee, I would work to bridge any gaps in understanding, ensuring that parents and taxpayers alike have access to clear, accessible information to support the best outcomes for students and our community. Transparency isn’t just about providing information—it’s about making sure it’s meaningful and actionable.

 

Chantelle Dur:

 

I believe transparency is essential for building trust. To ensure openness and accountability, in-camera meetings—which exclude public scrutiny—should be rare, not routine.