WEBSITE: www.kirefu.com

EMAIL: kirefu.tdsb@gmail.com

PHONE: 416-508-8475

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
By electing me, Husein Kirefu, you will elect a parent and resident of Etobicoke Centre, a professional with no political ties, and someone who “has” credibility within the TDSB thus ensuring our Ward’s concerns are heard and acted upon. With a budget of $2.5 billion, and the largest revenue generating project in the TDSB’s history being planned, the board needs a Trustee with the financial credentials and experience to oversee a budget of this size and project of this scale. I will fill this void and bring professional governance and extract efficiencies that will deliver added funding for our children.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
My focus will be in driving process improvements across all functions. For example by fixing the process that parent’s access in getting help for their children, I expect to be able to deliver more consultations faster so children do not fall behind and through the cracks. I want to see our procurement costs drop. I am told consistently by vendors that they charge more to government organizations because of the delay in payment and added bureaucracy. By improving processes alone we will have more money for our classrooms and schools.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
Schools are the nucleus of a community, great schools equate to great communities. The last thing a school board should ever do is sell land/schools – it harms the future of your community! Consolidation of under-enrolled schools can provide the highest value to students as more resources are available for delivering education. However, this should be a community decision. If a community accepts the realities of not consolidating, than keeping a school open is a community’s choice.

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?
I believe in informed decisions. I believe that unionized employees need to understand the value of their annual non-cash pay (e.g. pension). I believe the Ministry of Education needs to accept that the cost of living in Toronto is different than in Windsor and the funding model needs to reflect this. I will take advantage of the Provincial elections in 2011 to make our voices heard, and push for a resolution a year ahead of the deadline during a time when our votes matter. As voters, you have the ability in 2011 to ensure our children’s education is not interrupted.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
As a father of 3, a resident of Etobicoke Center, I understand first hand the issues and frustrations. I am here to make your voices heard. With global strategy and development leadership experience (Fortune 10) I have the skills to lead and catalyze change in an organization as large as the TDSB. My educational background includes: Executive MBA, Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Honours Co-op Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Wilfrid Laurier University, Associate Member, Toronto CFA Society. Voting for me will ensure your voice is heard.