WEBSITE: http://leefortrustee.yolasite.com

EMAIL: hau.lee@sympatico.ca

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I bring a bold vision for the future. My vision is about Education that is tailored to each student vs. the other way around. Education that recognizes each student as unique, and helps students to discover and develop their uniqueness. This includes pursuit of learning in areas of strong ability and interest. Focused mentoring opportunities. Schools, parents and community working in close partnership. Each student will have the opportunity to realize his or her best potential – I believe our future demands no less.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
The TDSB mission is to enable students “to become responsible members of a democratic society”. But I believe we should dare to set our sights higher – a mindset change. We can achieve this by helping students build on their uniqueness. By recognizing and nurturing different types of intelligence. Education would become more tailored, more engaging, and more relevant to the student.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
Schools are vital to a community. When one closes, the community suffers. Shops and restaurants close down or relocate elsewhere. Urban decay may set in. A decade is often used as a key yardstick for determining whether a school be declared surplus and/or made available for sale. But that is short-sighted, because we know Toronto will not end in a decade. I believe there needs to be a long term vision for Toronto that ensures neighbourhoods thrive. And I believe a critical component of this vision is not closing down schools, but finding innovative new ways to utilize them.

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?
No. I don’t believe going after teachers is the right approach to cost cutting. Current teacher salary scales are not extravagant, and a modest wage increase will not change this. Great teachers are well worth their salaries, and a wage increase represents one form of recognition. I believe that contract negotiations should be about both parties working towards a mutually beneficial outcome.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
Hau immigrated to Canada in the 70′s and grew up in Toronto, where she attended public school. Hau holds a B.A.Sc. in engineering from the University of Waterloo, and an M.B.A. from Queen’s University. She has 11 years of management and consulting experience in the private sector. Today, Hau is happily married with two young children, and has been a homeowner in this ward for 10 years. Her role as School Council Chairperson at her daughter’s public school last year motivated her to run for trustee. Hau also serves as a director at large for her local park association.