Merle Morrisseau

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: Good day and thank you for taking the time to read my campaign profile. I would like to become a school trustee because I believe in continuing education and the value of opportunities that education brings to our community. As a resident of Sherwood Park for 20 years, I believe that my background and experiences within the division will be an asset to the team. I am the current Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Committee and the former president of the Strathcona Community Mediation society. These roles have allowed me to meet with both public and Catholic school boards with the shared intent of inclusivity. By completing my Occupational Health and Safety Diploma and currently pursuing a Management Certification further demonstrates my personal commitment to education. 

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: My previous experiences in leadership and safety training roles have developed and strengthened my communication and public speaking skills. I’ve been fortunate to leverage these teachings recently within the Indigenous Advisory Committee. I was privileged and honored to have been a part of the Truth and Reconciliation ceremony. I’ve also been interviewed for the radio and endorsed the Continuing Education Program for the University of Alberta. The Cree culture endorses the values of “Look, Listen, Learn and Live” which I have followed to ensure that I clearly understand the voices of our community. These experiences will be an asset to advocating for educational policies and procedures within our community. 

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: Having grandchildren within Elk Island Public Schools has brought forward many issues from both students and staff. In order to determine which issues would have the biggest impact on our community, we would need to review the current and past policies. The intent would be to provide real time data and display our areas of concern and our areas of growth. This methodology is a recognised process in the public and private sectors to identify cost savings and opportunities. The goal is not to reinvent the wheel, but to respect the past and acknowledge the learnings.

Q: What kind of relationship should a school division and its Board have with its community, its parents and its families?
A: There are three fundamentals that I believe in: Transparency, Presence and Follow up.

Transparency being that my job description is visible to the community and my boundaries as a trustee are understood. This promotes the value of the greater team and the support to the parents. Presence is not just that I must be seen at my selected events but also that I’m present in the moment to actively listen and be available to the community. Finally, I will commit to following up with the individuals and community with any questions or concerns. I need to ensure that the correct person receives the questions and maintains the integrity of the board. As we operate in the public view, we are responsible for our actions and represent the families in the county. Our actions speak volumes and we need to respect our position in the community. 

Q: What do you believe should be done to ensure diverse, equal, respectful and inclusive environments in schools?
A: I would establish a baseline survey of where we are as a school in relation to other communities our size. I would then suggest a cold review of this data, and ask that each member to review the data and the question, that was originally asked. As an new team, we would review this information and begin to develop our strategies to address the concerns from this data. Action items would include use of community boards with the intent to be inclusive and promote involvement of all. I would also suggest a tracking mechanism to prioritize the information and create milestones for success. We also need to celebrate our current successes and see our actual improvement areas.

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: As an Indigenous person in the community I understand and respect the challenges that alternative programs bring to the school board. I would ensure that my knowledge is adequate to support the recognized people of these programs. I would then become visibly involved with these programs and ensure that I am learning from those present, and their history. As these folks already have vested interest, I would need to hear them and work with the school board on potential bridges between the parties involved. As a trustee I would reach out to other schools, universities, groups to provide support and information from others. This role can be seen as a Liaison role and will support these groups but not lead them. I can assist each by sharing broader information to all and include their team and goals, as my boundaries.