Rocky View Schools (RVS) Ward 3 Trustee Todd Brand is running for a third term to continue representing Airdrie’s public schools, students, and parents.
“I very much enjoy the work of being a trustee and serving the residents of Airdrie in this capacity,” he said. “Being a trustee is a very challenging position, but it is also very rewarding.”
Brand was first elected in 2013. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management. Brand has also spent time with the Fort Vermilion School Division as an elementary school teacher.
He said he is grateful to have learned so much over his two terms with RVS, and is looking forward to the opportunity to continue doing so if re-elected on Oct. 18.
“I want to be able to use my leadership and skills that I have worked on over the years to be able to help our schools stay as good as they are, make them even better, and push them to always be changing and improving,” he said.
Brand and his family have called Airdrie home for 15 years. Throughout that time, he said he has been involved with various community-minded positions. According to a press release, he served on the Community Services Advisory Board for Airdrie City council, is active in coaching local youth soccer and has sat on the board of the Airdrie & District Soccer Association. He is also involved with the Airdrie Festival of Lights as the festival’s sponsorship coordinator.
One of the biggest issues for RVS this year, according to Brand, will be getting students back into the rhythm of regular, in-person schooling following a school year that saw students shift back and forth between at-home and in-class learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our school division will need to be aware – and I think they are – of the impact that the pandemic and restrictions have had on learning for students,” he said.
With COVID-19 still top of mind, Brand said the focus of RVS’ board of trustees and staff should largely be focused on the re-integration process.
“Some students have emerged from this pandemic without any loss of learning, others have perhaps fallen a bit further behind,” he said, adding some students are very much looking forward to returning to the classroom, while others are apprehensive.
Another issue at the top of the list for Brand is the rapid population growth of Airdrie and the need for new schools and facilities for the ever-increasing number of students in the city.
Brand said his professional and volunteer experience have equipped him with the knowledge and skills to be an effective trustee. He added his career as a parliamentarian – a consultant who advises relevant board members on proper procedure and rules – deepens his understanding of the intricacies of boards and governance.
“I work with a lot of energy and a lot of passion,” he said.
Whether or not he is voted back in, Brand said election time is always important, and he hopes to see a good turnout for both the municipal and school board elections this October.
Airdrie has three representatives on RVS’ board of trustees. Of the current trustees, Brand and Melyssa Bowen have said they will be running for re-election, while Jim Forrest has announced he will not be running again this fall.
