WEBSITE: http://costafortrustee.wordpress.com

EMAIL: costa4trustee@yahoo.ca

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I grew up in the welcoming neighbourhoods of Ward 9 and its schools. I continue to live in Ward 9 and I am proud of our diverse community. Like most residents in our community, I was brought up in a home with working class parents. Family is the most important thing to me and the values of loyalty and responsibility will guide me as trustee. I believe instead of career politicians, trustees should have strong policy-making experience. Trustees should also be open to new ideas and not political ideologies. These are qualities that I embrace.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
Over the next four years, I’d like the school board to embrace strategic planning and decision making and introduce reforms including an enforceable code of ethics for trustees. I’d like the board to create community schools, promote healthy schools by offering healthy, affordable meals and introduce a Walking School Bus program. The board modernize school infrastructure and create green schools that use sustainable practices. We also need to ensure schools are a positive experience for students and teachers, with the social supports necessary to tackle bullying, low-educational attainment and career planning.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
Quickly selling assets is a short-sighted solution. We must ensure assets remain in the board’s control for future use, where appropriate, instead of closing schools and selling property. This could include leases or partnerships to offer services that benefit students and the community (e.g., library, day care, recreation, specialized education). A new Property Development Board with trustees, municipal government and urban planners should work with communities to determine community and student needs and provide recommendations on how best to use land/property. We must also negotiate a new, fair funding formula to avoid closures and clear the backlog of school maintenance.

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?
In order to plan for long-term improvements, there needs to be stability in budgeting. In these tough economic times, we need to take serious measures to ensure we can continue to offer high-quality education. However, any deal with the province on wages must be accompanied by an agreement to re-examine the funding formula to create an effective and adequate formula. Reforming the formula, including removing teacher’s salaries from it, will facilitate funding for badly needed maintenance, after-school initiatives and arts programs. Any no wage increase agreement must be strictly only for two years with a review after one year.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
I was born and raised in Toronto. My father grew up in Angola, my mother grew up in a small farming village in Portugal, and I have a twin brother. I graduated from the University of Toronto in 2002, where I studied history and political science. In 2004 I earned a Master’s Degree at the University of York (England). Since 2006 I’ve worked as a policy advisor with the provincial government. When not at work, I enjoy writing, photography, travelling and spending time with friends and family.