WEBSITE: gerrigershon.ca

EMAIL: gerrigershon@hotmail.ca

PHONE: 647-247-3570

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I have a proven ability to work and consult with parents and community and I am a strong advocate for our local schools. As a former Board Chair, and past president of both the Ontario Public School Boards Association and the Canadian School Boards Association I have in-depth knowledge of education and resources across the country which I utilize to support our schools, parents and students. This knowledge can only come from experience. I can work with all provincial parties. My constant focus is what is best for kids.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
* Collaboration with agencies and governments for the common good – community hubs.
* Preparation of teachers for technology that helps further personalize learning
* Smooth transition to full day learning in all schools
* Development of a special program using a child’s heritage to help all our students become global citizens.
* Meaningful consultation with parents and community about school restructuring to meet today’s needs and eliminate redundancies.
* Initiation of a common course on citizenship for all school boards in all the provinces of Canada

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
We have an obligation to provide safe and healthy schools to today’s students. The board needs to continue to find creative options to ensure that our schools support learning. One of several options may be to sell board properties that have not been used as schools for almost 40 years and use the dollars to improve existing schools. Community consultation on these issues is of paramount importance.

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?
We know the federal government takes out 23 billion dollars more from Ontario than it provides back. If these dollars were returned, the province could fund education and other initiatives to the required levels. The province must decide do we negotiate board by board or are there central provincial negotiations? Right now we have a hybrid that does not make sense.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
* Mother of 3 daughters, now 7 grandchildren who are either attending or about to enter public school.
* Former Chair, North York Board of Education and Local Implementation Committee
* Past-President, Ontario Public School Board Association and Canadian School Board Association
* Former member Toronto Board of Health, EQOA Advisory Committee, Ontario Studies in Education/University of Toronto Advisory Board and Director on the Learning Partnership
* Appointed by Conservative and Liberal governments to advise on the Role of the Trustee, Declining enrolment, and Chair the Ontario Citizen’s Council
* Chair of the Ethics Committee and Early Years Advisory Committee