How To Vote
Visit the Medicine Hat city website here to find your voting times and locations.
Election Survey
| Ward | Candidate Name | Responded |
|---|---|---|
| At Large | Danielle Beach | ❌ |
| Jessie Bishop | ❌ | |
| Gwendoline Dirk | ❌ | |
| Deborah Susan Martin Forbes | ❌ | |
| Patrick Walter Grisonich | ❌ | |
| Megan Hilgendorf | ❌ | |
| Jan Kline-Farmer | ❌ | |
| Wesley Paterson | ✅ | |
| Becky Poirier | ❌ | |
| Yvonne Sissons | ❌ | |
| Quinn Skelton | ❌ | |
| Jeneal Vargo | ❌ | |
| Catherine Alice Wilson | ❌ |
Question 1
Parents have consistently said they believe school boards should prioritize core academics. Do you believe that priority is currently reflected in your school board's budget? If not, what would you change?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: I believe there are significant opportunities to manage the school board's budget more effectively to ensure that more resources are directed to the front line classroom. By identifying and reducing administrative overhead and prioritizing spending on core academic programs, we can better support teachers and student learning where it matters most. My focus would be on reviewing expenditures to maximize efficiency and make certain that the majority of funding directly benefits students and educators in the classroom.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
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?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: I believe that ensuring funding follows the student can be an important mechanism for accountability in public education. When resources are directed to the educational choices that best fit a student's needs, it incentivizes all educational institutions to focus on delivering high-quality outcomes. However, to maximize the benefits, it's critical to maintain robust oversight and ensure that public funds are used efficiently and in ways that best support student achievement in both public and alternative education settings.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
Question 3
Do you believe local decision-makers should take responsibility for local decisions, or do you believe decisions are best made centrally?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: Yes, I strongly believe that local decision-making is essential for school boards. Those closest to our communities—parents, educators, and local leaders—are best positioned to understand and respond to the unique needs and priorities of students. Empowering local school boards to make decisions ensures that resources and policies reflect the values and circumstances of the community, resulting in more effective and responsive educational outcomes. Local autonomy strengthens accountability, transparency, and trust in our education system.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
Question 4
Do you believe your school board is currently transparent enough with parents and taxpayers? What would you change?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: Based on conversations with parents and community members, I have heard consistent concerns that the current board is not transparent enough. Transparency is fundamental to building trust and ensuring accountability in our education system. I believe there are opportunities to improve communication and provide more accessible, timely information to parents and the broader community. I am committed to advocating for greater openness, so that parents feel engaged, informed, and able to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their children's education.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
Question 5
Can you commit to removing any policies that require secrets to be kept from parents by policy, without an individual, exceptional circumstance being identified?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: Yes, I can absolutely commit to being transparent and sharing more information with parents and the community if elected. Open and honest communication is vital for building trust and ensuring that families are well-informed about the decisions that impact their children's education. I am dedicated to providing clear, timely updates and creating more opportunities for parents and community members to engage with the board's work. My goal is to make sure that everyone feels involved and has access to the information they need to participate fully in the educational process.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
Question 6
Do you believe parents should be informed before abortion, sexual assault, marriage, or questions about deciding to have children are covered in school, in a way similar to the requirements around sexual identity or religious identity?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: Yes, I believe parents should be informed before topics such as abortion, sexual assault, marriage, or questions about deciding to have children are discussed in school, similar to the requirements in place for conversations about sexual identity or religious identity. Parental involvement is crucial when sensitive or significant personal topics are introduced in the classroom. Ensuring parents are notified and have the opportunity to support their children aligns with the principle of transparency and respects families' values. I am committed to open communication and believe parents should always have a role when important topics are covered in education.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
Question 7
Do you believe program and course development at the school board level must be transparent and focused on clearly defined knowledge outcomes?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: Yes, I believe program and course development at the school board level must be fully transparent and firmly focused on clearly defined knowledge outcomes. Clear communication about curriculum and expectations gives parents and the community confidence that students are being taught essential skills and knowledge. Transparency also ensures accountability, inviting valuable input from stakeholders and allowing for continual improvement. My commitment is to prioritize openness and clarity in all curriculum decisions so families know what is being taught and why.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
Question 8
What are your thoughts on communicating progress clearly with letter grades and percentages, as opposed to "descriptive grading", at all grade levels?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: I believe that clear communication of student progress is essential for both parents and students. Using letter grades and percentages provides a straightforward and easily understood measure of achievement across all grade levels. This clarity helps families track progress and identify areas for improvement. While descriptive grading can provide helpful context, maintaining traditional grading methods ensures consistency, transparency, and broad awareness of student performance. My priority is to make sure that assessment practices are understandable, accessible, and truly informative for everyone involved.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
Question 9
Professional development days for teachers and other school board staff are negotiated locally. Do you believe your school board currently has negotiated the right number of professional development days? If not, what changes would you like to advocate for?
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: As a Certified Management Consultant who has worked extensively in professional development and organizational effectiveness, I understand the critical importance of ongoing learning for educational staff. Professional development is a key driver of excellence in teaching and student outcomes. However, I have received feedback from parents and fellow educators in the Medicine Hat Public School Division who question whether our current allocation of professional development days achieves the optimal balance between educator growth and classroom instructional time. Evidence from organizations such as the Alberta Teachers' Association demonstrates that high-quality, well-structured professional learning positively impacts students. At the same time, it is essential to ensure that the quantity, structure, and timing of these days are carefully managed so instructional time for students remains a top priority. If elected, I will champion a data-driven and consultative review of our current approach—analyzing both its effectiveness and its alignment with best practices—while maintaining open communication with parents and staff. My goal will be to advocate for a professional development schedule that is evidence-based, supports our educators, and maximizes positive outcomes for our students and community.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.
Question 10
Do you support or oppose the impending teachers' strike? Please explain your reasoning.
At Large
5 To Be Elected
Danielle Beach: No response.
Jessie Bishop: No response.
Gwendoline Dirk: No response.
Deborah Susan Martin Forbes: No response.
Patrick Walter Grisonich: No response.
Megan Hilgendorf: No response.
Jan Kline-Farmer: No response.
Wesley Paterson: As a Management Consultant, I approach every labour dispute with a focus on long-term solutions, organizational health, and sustainable outcomes. In the case of the impending teachers' strike, I recognize and respect the legitimate concerns raised by educators regarding working conditions, resources, and compensation. These issues deserve meaningful dialogue and genuine collaboration. However, I believe that strikes should be considered only as a last resort, after every avenue for constructive negotiation has been thoroughly pursued. I have concerns about whether this has been done effectively in the current situation, and whether communication breakdowns or the pursuit of political agendas may have hindered the process. Many teachers I have spoken with are not even fully aware of the specific role the ATA plays in negotiations, which highlights the need for greater transparency. My commitment is to prioritize transparent communication, evidence-based decision-making, and fair bargaining processes that serve both teachers and the community. Ultimately, our shared goal should be to create an environment where teachers feel valued and supported, while minimizing disruption to students' learning. I am dedicated to bridging differences and finding balanced, practical solutions that strengthen our education system for everyone involved.
Becky Poirier: No response.
Yvonne Sissons: No response.
Quinn Skelton: No response.
Jeneal Vargo: No response.
Catherine Alice Wilson: No response.