WEBSITE: www.adamcf.ca

EMAIL: adam@adamcf.ca

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
The TDSB needs fresh voices and a change in attitude. In my 15 years of community involvement I’ve demonstrated how to make a little go a long way. As a director on the board of the Toronto Public Library I oversaw an expansion of library hours by using new technology, not increased staff costs. I helped save the Winona school pool by creating community programs that generate revenue. And as chair of Wychwood Open Door drop-in centre I doubled that organization’s budget by leveraging private grants with public funds. It’s this record of achievement that makes me the best candidate for trustee.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
I would like to see the TDSB stop needlessly closing schools by introducing community hubs, start reducing its $3 billion maintenance backlog by fixing crumbling schools, generate green energy and money on the rooftops of our schools, open up our school facilities for recreational use by the community, offer professional learning opportunities for teachers that result in enhanced student achievement, end frivolous spending on frills like the ACC pep rally, set an example of healthy living for students by improving cafeteria offerings, and encouraging walking and biking to school. More detail on my platform is available at www.adamcf.ca.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
School closures should be the school board’s very last resort, yet trustees have rushed ahead with closures to make up for more than a decade of indecision. Instead of seeing school closure as the first solution to under-enrollment, I propose creating community hubs that integrate existing community services like literacy centers, libraries and youth employment centers into schools. These services would lease space in partially empty schools and as a result generate enough revenue through rental fees to make schools financially viable.

4. Do you support the province’s decision to try to negotiate two-year, no wage increase contracts with the school board’s unionized employees when existing agreements expire?
While the province negotiates with education workers, I encourage both the government and unions to ensure labour peace is maintained so our students receive the education they deserve without interruption.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
As a student in the 1990s, I experienced every cut made to education by the provincial government. At that time I saw some trustees stand up for the needs of students while others sat on their hands. In short, I learned the importance of electing local representatives that reflect the values of our community. As a result of this experience I have spent the past 15 years as a leading advocate for better schools and stronger communities. Please view my full biography at www.adamcf.ca.