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Prince George election 2018: School closure prompts Sarah Holland's run

Voters head to the polls Oct. 20
Sarah Holland
(via Contributed)

On Oct. 20, Prince George residents will pick one mayor, eight councillors and seven school trustees. The ballot will have two mayoral candidates, 13 councillor candidates and 11 school trustee candidates. There are also 15 candidates running in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

PrinceGeorgeMatters has sent out a list of questions to those vying for a seat in public office.

Name: Sarah Holland

Running for:  School trustee

Age: 50

Number of years lived in Prince George: 22

Current neighbourhood: The Hart

Occupation: Financial planner

Reason community would recognize your name: Former chair of the district parent advisory council, formerly on library board, volunteered with Hart Community Association

What is the most important issue facing the school district, and how do you propose to deal with it?

There’s never just one issue in the school system. There are many important issues facing the Prince George school district, including capacity of schools, catchments, implementation of new curriculum, new union negotiations, and providing support to all our students. Dealing with it requires collaboration, consultation, dealing with others with respect, using the money we have to our best advantage and advocating for more funding.

What is your specific reason for running?

Short answer: I believe I can do a good job, in a very important job. Longer answer: After my children’s school was closed in 2010, I realized that what the school district does actually matters. I got involved, and have found it fascinating, complicated and important. I want to do my part to make the school system work for all our students, and I want people to be able to see and trust the decision-making process.

Where can the school board spend less?

After so many years of cuts, the school district was cut past the bone. Sadly, there are no vast sums of wasted money around.

Where should the school board be investing more?

The thing about the school system is that we can always spend more money on students. We have limited funding, so how can we best put to use what we have? One way to spend money effectively is to collaborate with teachers for continuous improvement of teaching skills, as we know that our students benefit from great teachers. Another way to spend money is to provide money for mental health and counselling. We’re also going to be needing more space in our schools, at some point in the nearer future.

Next time you’re walking in the woods and you come face-to-face with a Sasquatch, what do you do?

Back away slowly, while getting my cellphone video to work (I expect that would be quite educational).

If the next school board does something film-worthy, who would play you in the film?

Meryl Streep, because she can play anyone.

Complete the sentence...

When I’m not at home or at work, you can find me:...most likely in my car, between home, work, school district meetings, grocery store and transporting children.

The most random, yet interesting fact about me is: My father’s mother’s father’s father conducted guided donkey tours on Mount Etna.

My favourite beverage is: Either water, tea or wine, depending on mood.

For Christmas/Hanukkah/the gift-giving season, I would like:...gift certificate to Books & Co.

The best park in/near to Prince George is: Too many to choose from!

If Prince George didn’t exist, I’d be living in: Somewhere else in B.C.

When I need some pump-up music, I listen to: I have very eclectic tastes in music. I’m currently listening to a variety of musicals, including Hamilton, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Mean Girls, Evan Hansen, Hairspray, Aida, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.