Meet your school board candidates
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a four-part series where we ask questions of the candidates who are seeking a spot on the Central Okanagan School Board.
Today’s question: Who are you and why are you qualified to be a good school board trustee?
KELOWNA NORAH BOWMAN: My academic, parenting, and professional experience qualify me for being a school board trustee. I have been a professor at Okanagan College since 2009. I hold a PhD from the University of Alberta (2014). I am an elected member of Okanagan College’s Education Council. I publish academic research on human rights, the environment, and literature.
ROLLI CACCHIONI: I believe I’m qualified to continue to be an effective school board trustee because of my demonstrated competencies and past experience. I am a former teacher and principal with SD23, and former UBCO adjunct professor (Faculty of Education). My former community experience includes coaching boys’ hockey and rugby and girls’ soccer. I’ve served as chair of the board of directors and chair of the audit committee for ISCU. I currently serve as a director for the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame, Kelowna Museum Society, ISCU and as Governance committee chair. I am an active member of the Rutland Residents’ Association.
CHELSEA FRANK: My name is Chelsea Frank, I have lived in the Okanagan since moving here from the coast with my husband 14 years ago. I have four children aged 7, 7, 8, and 10 currently enrolled in the French Immersion program in SD23. I have a background in community healthcare providing care for people of all ages and disabilities, making quality care my No. 1 goal for over 10 years. When my twins were born in 2011, my husband and I made the decision that I would stay at home with the kids. Once all my children were in school, I joined the PAC.
JOEL FRASER: I am Joel Fraser, I am able to look at issues based on their merits, not using bias. I am also not afraid to speak against the norm when decisions are made based on feelings not facts.
JULIA FRASER: I am Julia Fraser and I am running for school trustee for a third term because I have an aptitude and a passion for being the voice of the community. My strength is that I am a well-rounded candidate who understands the complex issues facing the board. The past seven years, I have chaired the: Planning and Facilities; Education and Student Services and Finance and Audit committees. I am the only returning trustee that has a school-aged child which will enable me to be a better representative and voice of Kelowna serving all 22,700 students.
TERRY GIESBRECHT: I am a long-term Kelowna resident with a background in computer programming, computer networking, teaching and now financial planning. I continue to provide onsurance and financial planning services as an independent broker here in Kelowna. These business, administrative and financial skills would definitely benefit my position as a school trustee as well. Teaching computer networking really taught me just how focused and practical our education needs to be.
STU KYLE: I am a loving farther of three and have a fourth on the way. I also have a business with 15 employees that I have owned since 2009 and am fiscally responsible. I don't have all the answers and use a common sense approach to get things done.
JOACHIM NIERFELD: I have been a member of this community for nearly 20 years. In that time, I have been an active volunteer at all levels with the CMHA, KGH Foundation, Tennis Canada, and more. I have significant experience in administration, serving as the chair for the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame. As an entrepreneur, I have founded or grown several small businesses and understand the importance of fiscal responsibility. Finally, I am a parent of a school-aged child. I am highly motivated to ensure his education is the best it can be.
PETER PAGLIOCCHINI: I am married to my wonderful wife Linda and we have three children, all born raised and educated in Kelowna. I have taught in Kelowna for over 30 years, my teaching assignments ran from elementary, middle, secondary including seven years in French Immersion. I have an undergraduate degree in Education and a Masters in Curriculum Design and Administration. One of my career highlights was being selected as Teacher of the Year for SD23. My multi-level teaching positions and educational background coupled with my experiences as a parent within SD23 provides me with strong insight into the educational process making me an excellent candidate for board trustee.
LEE-ANN TIEDE: As an incumbent I bring a great deal of experience from sitting at the current school board table, sitting on the current Thompson Okanagan Branch executive, and also with a term on the Provincial Council with B.C. School Trustee Association. I bring to the role of school trustee a great deal of business acumen acquired through over two decades of working in the financial and tech industries in a national position and also in management with a publicly traded company, and board experience from sitting on five different boards in a variety of industries. I am a great listener and am available and willing to hear from the community on any topic.
PEACHLAND MOYRA BAXTER: I am a long-serving trustee who has a record for researching issues, considering input from all stakeholders, seeking more information and advocating to delay decisions when necessary. I have encouraged the board to be more transparent and communicated regularly and openly with constituents and the media. As board chair, elected by my fellow trustees, I have chaired open and inclusive meetings and sought to raise the profile of Trustees in the public education system. I have never considered the position of trustee to be a stepping stone to other political positons — K-12 education is my passion.
MARJORIE BRIMS: I am a parent of four kids who went though our public school system. I was on PAC and I worked to make our PACs more confident and influential. I retired with lots of transferable skills from health care — another large, unionized, expert organization whose mandate it is to serve the community while being funded and driven by the government. I bring financial and personal accountability, inclusive leadership skills and experience with designing innovative programs which make real and durable systemic changes. My grandchildren are starting school, and I want them to experience the best that B.C. has to offer.
WEST KELOWNA CHANTELLE DESROSIERS: I’ve been an active volunteer and PAC member at West Kelowna schools for over nine years. Having school-age children and being involved with students supports my beliefs in the immense potential of children and student learning-centred decision making. I’ve attended numerous school board meetings and have a strong grasp of the decisions currently being made, the budget and financial statements, and the challenges facing the district. As a trustee, I can ensure that people have a voice, I can fight for the interests of students and I can pursue finding solutions to issues our schools are facing.
CHRIS VERNON JARVIS: I am Chris Vernon-Jarvis. I have been a school trustee in another district for 13 years. We moved to West Kelowna about two years ago and I am running for school trustee because I understand the importance and benefits of education to both individual students and to society. I believe I would be a good trustee in School District 23 because I will bring experience and new ideas to the board. My reference would be in the Courier, letters to the editor, on Tuesday, Oct. 2.
LAKE COUNTRY DEB BUTLER: I am currently seeking my third term on the Central Okanagan school board. I carefully examine issues facing our schools through a multifaceted lens, considering all viewpoints, analyzing the facts presented and the impact of my decisions both in the short and long term. My goal is to ensure that both current and future students are represented at the table. I am respectful of the taxpayer contributions that have been made to support our children as future leaders. I am committed to achieving the highest-quality education and opportunities for each learner.
AMY GEISTLINGER: My name is Amy Geistlinger, and I was born and raised in the Okanagan. Having lived here for so many years, I know the area well and understand some of the unique aspects that would impact its learners. I am a wife and a mother of two school-aged children. I care deeply about all children and want to see them thrive in a safe educational environment. I have a bachelor of elementary education and understand the diverse needs of our students as well as the teachers and staff who are dedicated to educating them. I am honest, kind and a keen researcher — qualities that would serve our school district well.