A local parent who hopes to hear a wider variety of voices at the Rocky View Schools (RVS) Board of Trustees table has put his bid in the running for a position to represent Airdrie in the upcoming Oct. 18 election.
Jason Spratt is contending against incumbent trustees Melyssa Bowen and Todd Brand, as well as newcomers Fred Burley, Aftan Forrest, and Pam Thursfield to fill the three seats representing Airdrie.
Spratt, who previously ran for a seat on the RVS Board of Trustees in 2017, said his motivation to run for the public school board a second time was spurred by issues he has faced with his own children in their respective RVS schools.
“I’m a concerned parent [and] I believe that my experience with the division gives me insight as to what’s happening,” he said. “I want to make sure that people’s voices are heard because I feel like mine hasn’t been heard in the past.”
Spratt’s prior related experience includes holding a position on the board of directors for sporting organizations like the Calgary Aquabelles artistic swimming club, as well as positions on school councils for both Muriel Clayton Middle School and W.H. Croxford High School.
The candidate’s 2017 campaign revolved around issues such as transportation, alternative programs, and mental health. This time around, he hopes to see better supports for RVS parents and students.
“I believe that while RVS has done a good job, I think that some new voices, some new insight can be a good thing,” he said. “I would like to see better support for parents with supporting our kids.”
He added those supports might include providing better and easier access to public board meetings online, as well as an improved RVS website, which would include increased functionality and effectiveness. He added class sizes and school capacity would also be at the forefront of his agenda, if elected.
“I think in general, RVS is working well,” he said. “I just think there needs to be more out-of-the-box thinking.
“When RVS makes a decision, there’s not a lot of disagreement or alternative voice by the last couple of Boards of Trustees.”
In light of COVID-19, Spratt said Airdrie's public school division has performed well under pressure to navigate the difficulties associated with the pandemic, but there is room for improvement.
“The first priority should always be to keep students, staff, and the community safe,” he said. “The options and choices that RVS has brought forward have been a move in the right direction.
“Elementary and high schools have different requirement and needs, and should not always be lumped together under one umbrella.”
Finally, Spratt added that election reform is desperately needed in future RVS Board elections and he hopes to inspire that change. Prior to his 2017 run, Spratt suggested RVS implement reversed balloting, which would alternate the order in which candidates names are listed on the ballot.
“I wish that RVS had done the right thing and considered doing randomized balloting,” he said.
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
