Allie Taylor wants to be the voice of parents on the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school board.
Taylor is running for one of the two trustee seats representing Pitt Meadows.
She has been involved in organizations that her two kids, ages six and nine, have been part of. Taylor has served as the special events coordinator for the Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball Association, and as the treasurer for minor hockey teams.
Most relevant to the trustee elections, she has also served as the chairperson of the Pitt Meadows elementary parent advisory council for the past two years.
“I listen to the concerns of parents all the time, and I hear what they want, and I think I can represent them,” she said.
A key issue for parents, and for Taylor is bringing more technology into schools. The interest was spurred when the PAC raised funds for a mobile computer lab at Pitt Meadows elementary.
The PAC earned money for the lab by putting on a carnival, and securing a gaming grant. It has been a popular addition to the school, highlighting how essential technology is.
“It needs to be in all classrooms.”
Taylor believes one day every student in the province will have a computer at their desk, and that is the technology standard the board should be working toward.
She said the use of iPads in this district is a useful and practical intermediate step, but the bigger screens of computers offer a lot of advantages.
Taylor concedes it would be expensive, but added: “You’ve investing in their future – big time.”
Taylor also hears concerns in the schools about special needs students, and how necessary it is for them to have extra help, and for teachers with special needs students to have assistants.
Taylor is running against incumbent Eleanor Palis and fellow newcomers Marcela Boggio and Korleen Carreras, as the four women contend two seats representing Pitt Meadows.