WEBSITE: www.electnathan.ca

EMAIL: electnathan@gmail.com

PHONE: 416-939-2220

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I’ve been involved in the Mary-Shad School Council for more than 9 years within which I have served as a Co – Chair member of the Council for 5 years. Through this and my other experiences I can say that I have a competent understanding of the many layers of running a public school. As a father of two I am fully immersed and aware of the many layers of issues administrators, parents, teachers and children face in the context of a public school. Having understood the present environment in Toronto, and the educational scenario in other countries, I have come up with a specific Plan of Action – My Priorities. These serve to work for the betterment of students – to make public education stronger and substantial. Please carefully go through them. I will assure you that by all means possible I will work towards these priorities and succeed in providing better education for our future leaders.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
I am a very simple person who is aspiring to elevate from bottom to top. Hence, I will not wait for more and more Public Funds to develop or spearhead my plans for improvement. I will ensure optimum use of the available funds with full transparency while I welcome additional funds for further developments. School Board needs to be more active and every member should play a vital role; hence I will motivate other members to really contribute and to work as a team to achieve better results. The solution to any types of issues could be made speedier, effective and efficient, if we have a solid team spirit in the Board.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
I am not in favour of this short sighted plan. These properties may be considered as white elephant today by some, but my view is that they will be required for education purposes in time to come. Hence, we should have a temporary plan to convert them to Day Care Centres, Home for the elders and for community welfare activities with provision to get back to original status. Well, some of these Centres could provide facilities at a reasonable fees / rent to generate additional revenue for the School Board.

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?
Increase in wages should be based on the actual economic conditions surrounding the employees. Any attempt to undermine this basic logic with a view to achieve short term benefit by the Province or any other organisation does not augur well for the productivity / actual achievement of such organisation. In other words, there should not be a wage increase freeze for “x” number of years, but Province may negotiate for a two – year no wage increase contract, subject to certain static / lower percentage adverse changes in the economic environment. Any such agreement should involve proper negotiation by both parties and the final decision should be a mutually beneficial to both parties. Simply , I am not in favour of any proposals just to achieve Cost Savings. Remember such proposals could lead to various other consequences such as lower productivity, morale and motivation which are very much detrimental in education related organisations.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
I am a migrant in Toronto for more than 22 years. For the past 9 years I have been a member of a Public School Council and have worked hard to do whatever possible for promoting our children welfare and education. I believe in living for others, hence am involved in many social service activities at personal levels. I have specific interest in children and their development to come up as better citizen and leaders in the community. From my school days, I have been engaged in leading many School related organisations in the capacity as President, Secretary etc., I am very much committed to serve the community.