Why no coverage of school trustees’ forum?

I was very disappointed to see that no reporters were present to cover the all-candidates’ forum for public school trustee candidates last night (Oct. 3). Over 80 members of the public were in attendance to hear from the 16 candidates vying for the seven positions on the board, and showed their concern for education by asking a variety of well-informed questions.

Issues discussed and debated included LGBTQ students’ rights and their parents’ rights; the superintendent’s contract; inclusion in schools; reconciliation in schools; alternative programming and ways of reaching non-traditional students; technology, and more. Candidates expressed a wide variety of opinions and shared their diverse backgrounds and reasons for putting their names forward. Fortunately, for those interested but unable to attend, the forum was live-streamed and most of it is available (in two parts) at

This was one of only two opportunities for members of the public to meet the public school trustee candidates (the other was on Monday night). It did not conflict with any of the 11 opportunities to meet city council candidates. The press were explicitly informed a week in advance. Why was it not considered important to write about the people who will be overseeing our children’s education for the next four years?

Joy Morris

Lethbridge