Dean James Kakoschke
Candidate for the Hamlet of Sherwood Park, Electoral Subdivision No. 2
Q: Why do you want to be a school trustee, and what experience do you bring to the role?
A: It is my goal to represent the best possible outcomes for all students within EIPS. I want to encourage the parents of students, to get involved and stay involved, with their child's education. Parents, as well as teachers, play a vital role in education. It is essential that parent's priorities and values receive full representation in their children's education.
Being a firefighter for over 26 years, has given me the opportunity to experience the benefits of putting others before myself, to serve my community with relentless commitment and honour. I hope to bring these same traits to this Trustee role.
Q: One of the primary roles of a school board is advocating for public education and the Division. How do you see yourself fulfilling this responsibility?
A: As a proud resident of Strathcona County for over 50 years, I am leading by example to advocate for this Division. Growing up, I attended Westboro Elementary, F.R. Haythorne (the old Haythorne with the round gymnasium) and graduated high school from Salisbury Composite. I have supported public education through my property taxes since the first day of owning property in Strathcona County. EIPS has been long admired for being one of the top school divisions in the province, and my goal is to keep that reputation.
Q: What do you see as the biggest issue facing Elk Island Public Schools in the next four years, and what is your vision for addressing that issue?
A: Reliable and equitable funding. EIPS needs to ensure it is receiving adequate funding through the necessary channels to properly maintain the programs and services that students, staff and parents have come to expect, including the management of school buildings and facilities. Trustees have an extremely important task in reviewing, developing and implementing annual budgets. Being a former national team and professional athlete, I understand the teamwork that is necessary among Board members in working towards a unified goal that benefits all aspects within EIPS.
Q: What kind of relationship should a school division and its Board have with its community, its parents and its families?
A: Open communication and active engagement are essential in developing this relationship. The Board and school division should be as transparent as possible when pursuing stable and honest ties with the community, parents of students and their families. When parents' voices are excluded from the table and communication breaks down, our system has failed our children.
Q: What do you believe should be done to ensure diverse, equal, respectful and inclusive environments in schools?
A: Every student, no matter their background, is deserving of a high quality education that improves their opportunities and prospective careers to live a fulfilling life. To achieve this, we need to promote respectful discussion, where our children can feel free to voice their opinions and experiences to develop their perspectives. In junior and senior high levels, this also means improving supports and programs so that more students can access high demand programs and gain industry experience in any field they choose. By advocating for more work-applicable skills and education supports offered to students, EIPS students will be equipped to thrive both in their education and later on in the workforce.
Q: If elected, how would you support Elk Island Public Schools alternative programs—which include French Immersion, German Language and Culture, Ukrainian Language and Culture, Alternative Christian, Logos Christian, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Outreach and Sport for Life?
A: I would support all these programs 100%. I am a staunch supporter of freedom of choice in education for parents and students. I would focus on ensuring the allocation of necessary funding to these specialized modes of education in order to offer our children a robust variety of alternative programs. I believe parents have a right to choose the education they feel best suits their child and their desired educational outcomes.