Chris Bolton – Ward 10 TDSB candidate
PHONE: 416-315-2448
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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I am the right person to continue the work of the past 7 years in Ward 10/Trinity Spadina – Where You Belong. I have the skills, knowledge and expertise to represent the ward both locally and at the board of trustees table. These are changing times that demand understanding and action on programming and financial concerns. It is important to know and be responsive to the needs of the schools and their communities, and to develop programming that is reflective of all those needs. For me there will be no learning curve as my knowledge of finances and policies mean immediate representation and action.
2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
The greatest opportunity for the next group of trustees is to work collaboratively with our sister boards, the city and the province to develop new approaches to resolve funding and programming needs. I see more opportunities for all levels of government to provide solutions. With our new director’s team in place in September 2010 these opportunities have very good possibilities. We also have the opportunity to develop a new paradigm of working with our employee groups on benefits and working conditions. With the Benefits Review Committee we can consider negotiations not as adversarial, but as a discussion at a round table.
3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
The concept of ‘under-enrolled schools’ presents a very traditional view of who we serve. However, I believe differently. No population of any school community is decreasing. The board needs to decide if it is full service and community oriented, or going to follow a traditional kindergarten to 12 education model. Only about 30% of our households have children in school. Everyone wants to continue to expand their interests and skill sets – that is the place of continuing education. I support school hubs and lifelong education. There will be no surplus space if we follow that model. The future of the TDSB is Continuing Education.
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?
If the province continues to deal with wage negotiations at the provincial level it will not be our decision. Our concern will be with benefits and workings conditions which I believe are important but not insurmountable if we work through the Benefits Review Committee structure. However, that does not resolve the larger human resources issue. Over 85% of our budgeted grants go to salaries and benefits with approximately 10% not covered by grants. The provincial government needs to cover all salaries. We need to consider creative ways to support our human resources so we can offer important programs and services without cutting other areas. We have just hired a marketing manager who can help us think creatively about new funding opportunities.
5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
Chris was a teacher/consultant/principal for over 30 years within the Toronto school boards. After leaving the Toronto District School Board as a principal, Chris worked as a grantmaker for a national foundation providing support for public education initiatives across Canada. During all but five years of his career, Chris has worked in the Trinity-Spadina area. He knows all and has worked in most of the schools – including Ryerson Community School as vice principal/principal for 13 years. He has been an advocate for learners of all ages and all communities. Since December 2003, Chris has been honoured to be the trustee for Ward 10/Trinity Spadina representing the most multicultural ward of the most multicultural city.
