A former educator and small business owner has decided to run for a seat in Ward 3 in the Rocky View School Division.
Todd Brand, husband and father of two, announced that he will be seeking a spot on the board in the Oct. 21 municipal election.
Infrastructure challenges, the new Education Act ñ which is expected to be rolled out by the Province over the next year ñ and forging ìa strong relationshipî with the new superintendant are among the Airdrie residentís major election promises.
ìThere are many current issues the new board will need to address,î he said.
ìOne being Airdrieís growth rate will remain brisk and the board will continue to be instrumental in helping ensure that infrastructure challenges are met.î
That growth will put challenges on the schools infrastructure, he said, and finding way to cope with growing demand will be among his top priorities.
In addition, ensuring that non-core classes ñ such as art and music ñ do not take a back seat to core courses, and be given the same attention and credibility.
ìI would like to continue to emphasize vocational training in the schools,î he said. ì(These areas of employment) are a great economic boast for our economy.î
Brand moved to Airdrie seven years ago for work, but quickly ìfell in love with the city,î and now sits on the City of Airdrieís Community Services Board.
According to Brand, his leadership skills will set him apart from the other candidates.
ìIíve got a lot of leadership experience and Iím a good team player,î he explained. ìMy goal is to listen very carefully for what the stakeholders are asking for.î
He said his family is backing his decision to run for school board, adding his wife Coral said ìthe position would be a perfect fitî for him.
Brand said he will be going door-to-door and hopes to ìlistenî to residents and their concerns.
Other Ward Three candidates announced Sept. 24, include incumbent Sylvia Eggerer, Grant Gilbertson, Diane Hunter, Sherry Lester, Phyllis McCallum-Hunter and Anthony Powell.
