For Maple Ridge trustee
• Name: Dr. Dave Rempel.
• Residence: 277th St., Maple Ridge.
• Occupation/education: Bachelor of Religious Education, 1962; Bachelor of Education, 1968; Master of Arts, 1977; PhD, 1984; 18 years teaching, 18 years as principal, 18 years school board trustee Maple Ridge.
• Volunteer work: Canadian C.I.S. Friendship Exchange Society, student exchanges and international adoptions; Meadowridge Rotary Club; Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows parks and leisure commission; Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Parent Fair; Fraser Valley Children’s’ Festival; and Fine Arts Showcase.
Question: Please provide an example of what you have done that qualifies you for school board.
Answer: It’s a package: my experience as a teacher, principal, and trustee; my very extensive academic background; and my volunteer work in and outside the community.
Q: Why are you running for trustee?
A: Since grade 12 I have worked with youth, teaching Sunday school, counselling at summer camps, and as an educator in public schools. Transitioning from a principal to trustee seemed natural and seamless, and expressed my deep passion and commitment to youth and the community.
Q: What makes you stand out from other candidates?
A: My extensive academic background, long employment in public education, including as a trustee, and the many volunteer community and internationals programs and projects I’ve been involved in and with.
Q: How do you see the school district changing in the next 10 years?
A: Increased use of technology; greater focus on inquiry and critical thinking; enrolments will increase; public support for education may face challenges; provincial funding for public education should increase; special needs students will increase.
Q: What will be your top priority if elected to school board?
The budget hovers like a cloud over most of the board’s decisions, especially the last few years. The advocacy for increased funding runs parallel to the budget priority.