For Maple Ridge trustee
• Name: Gary Cleave.
• Residence: Fraserview Village, Maple Ridge.
• Occupation/education: Development officer, DARE B.C. Society; BA in political science and sociology from SFU.
• Volunteer work: church.
Question: Please provide an example of what you have done that qualifies you for school board.
Answer: I worked for the school district in a variety of capacities from 1996 to 2009. I am intimately familiar with school district operations and the needs of our students.
Q: Why are you running for trustee?
A: I believe the public school system is one of the most important institutions in our society.
Q: What makes you stand out from other candidates?
A: I am running for mayor and school trustee. If elected to both positions, I will donate a total of $150,000 of my combined salaries over the next four years to our underfunded school system.
Q: How do you see the school district changing in the next 10 years?
A: The student population will grow in some areas and decline in others. Managing growth with the limited funding we receive from the provincial government will be our biggest challenge.
Q: What will be your top priority if elected to school board?
A: We must find ways to ensure that every dollar we receive from the provincial government supports student learning. We must also find additional sources of funding from within our community.