WEBSITE: www.samghose.ca

EMAIL: sam@ghose.ca

PHONE: 416-385-0687

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I have a wealth of experience in programming, evaluating and monitoring public funding. I worked with United Nations World Food Programme for many years as a humanitarian in different parts of Asia, Africa and Middle East and one of my duties was the proper allocation of donors’ funding. I want to use my valuable experience and knowledge to streamline the TDSB budget, instead of crying for more taxpayer money from the Province. I believe that the time has come for a positive change and to elect a person who can use his international experience and innovative ideas for the betterment of our publicly-funded schools.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
* First: The quality of education. Today’s record for our school kids in reading and math are not encouraging. I will fight to reverse this trend and will make improving overall grades a priority.
* Second: Funding and Accountability: 2.6 billion dollars worth of taxpayers’ money is given by the Province each year. We must ensure that the school kids, teachers, parents and community get the most value from this money, and reduce unnecessary spending wherever needed in order to give school children the most benefit.
* Thirdly: School Renewal: The Board’s 529 school buildings need repair, renovation and reconstruction.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
I am strongly against the closure of schools and selling off school property. My opinion is that we should closely consult with parents and local communities about the declining enrollment and under-performing schools, and think about how to keep these schools alive. Today’s declining enrollment might reverse in the coming days and months as many new immigrants are moving to Toronto each year. Communities do not like to see school properties vanishing and such important places within the community gone.

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?
The province has a mandate to deal with wage negotiations and contracts. I also support the collective bargaining process. However, I strongly believe that TDSB Trustees should be given the authority to handle such issues in order to make things easier and more realistic.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
* I am a dedicated family man and have been living with my wife and two kids in the Don Valley East Community for the last fifteen years.
* My wife and I raised both of our children in this very community through the public school system. They are now both attending University.
* I have worked for many years with the United Nations World Food Programme as a humanitarian Officer and worked in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
* Through the United Nations WFP I reached out to vulnerable people including poor and hungry children in Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, and North Korea and visited many schools in those countries
* As a UN WFP Programme Officer, I handled allocation of donor funding and gained extensive experience in programming, evaluating and monitoring of public funds
* Through the UN WFP, I have attended countless seminars on nutrition, and implemented projects aimed at the improvement of nutrition education to school children.
* I have traveled to more than 25 countries in the world, in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe.