Ralph Sorochan

Candidate for the City of Fort Saskatchewan, Electoral Subdivision No. 1

Q: Why do you want to be a school trustee, and what experience do you bring to the role?
A: My desire and experience include:

• A deep commitment to public education, focused on helping every student graduate ready to succeed and compete in today’s world.
• A strong belief in the power of community partnerships to enhance learning.
• Over 38 years devoted to student achievement as a teacher, school principal, director, university instructor and EIPS trustee.
• Proven leadership and collaboration with a wide range of groups, agencies, committees, boards, trustees, post-secondary institutions, administrators, government representatives, community members, staff, parents, and students.
• Extensive knowledge of EIPS schools and communities, including policies, procedures, protocols, and emergency practices, as well as the needs of students, staff, and families.
• Belief in inclusivity, equity and support for all individuals.
• Respect for parents as primary partners in education and recognition of teachers as curriculum and pedagogy experts.
• Three university degrees, including a master’s thesis titled “Factors Influencing Overall Success of Students at Risk”.

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: School trustees are advocates for students and families, stewards of public funds, and essential links between the community and the school division. Working together as a board, trustees must ensure every student receives a high-quality education that reflects community values and needs.

I will:

• Advocate strongly for a properly funded public education system.
• Celebrate the successes of public education and work towards continued growth.
• Support decisions that ensure student success and reflect our community’s voice, while maintaining open communication with parents, staff, and residents to keep families informed and engaged.
• Champion equitable access to programs by directing resources toward specialized learning supports, wrap-around services, and community partnerships, while working to remove barriers that eliminate discrimination.
• Support programming that helps children meet early developmental milestones, become confident readers, and meets individual student needs.
• Represent our division effectively and strengthen the value of public education by upholding clear policies and strong accountability, and by partnering with families, trustees, administrators, and education stakeholders.

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: School trustees face a wide range of complex issues that require constant attention. Key priorities include adequate funding, safe and caring schools, a strong curriculum, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Each priority is important on its own, but sufficient funding is essential to success. By advocating for public education and pressing the provincial government for increased resources, school boards can:

• Ensure students receive necessary interventions, individualized supports, and specialized or diverse programming and facilities.
• Provide proper funding for academics, extracurricular activities, inclusivity, equity, diversity, mental health, and closing learning gaps.
• Equip teachers with the resources and professional development needed to meet provincial curriculum standards.
• Secure approval and completion of new schools and modernization projects while maintaining current facilities in excellent, safe condition.

Q: What kind of relationship should a school division and its Board have with its community, its parents and its families?
A: Research shows that when parents are actively involved in their children’s education, students achieve higher academically, gain more in reading and math, are less likely to drop out, and display fewer behaviour challenges. School boards must create parent-engagement plans that reflect families’ needs and comfort levels.

School boards need to:

• Seek parent feedback on key issues using surveys, social media, and direct contact.
• Be available to families to discuss successes, issues, and concerns.
• Support the implementation of engagement strategies in every EIPS school.
• Offer parent engagement workshops and learning modules.
• Encourage and develop parent leadership opportunities.
• Partner with community agencies and services to create wrap-around supports for students and families.
• Continue to invite parents to School Council and Council of School Councils meetings to provide opportunities for input and decision making.
• Continue to provide access to public Board Meetings, digital Board Meeting packages, and regular communique for complete transparency.

Q: What do you believe should be done to ensure diverse, equal, respectful and inclusive environments in schools?
A: School division trustees must ensure:

• Instruction meets each learner at their current stage of growth.
• Clear policies and procedures are established and consistently applied.
• Resources are allocated to prevent discriminatory practices, bias, or inequity.
• Programs provide equitable access for every student, regardless of location within the division.
• Specialized learning supports receive sufficient funding for interventions, personalized assistance, occupational therapy, speech and language services, psychological assessments, counselling, and supports for vision, hearing, and mobility.
• Curriculum remains inclusive and responsive to individual student needs.
• Mental health resources and partnerships with community agencies promote student well-being and success.
• More children meet key developmental milestones before Grade 1 and become confident readers by the end of Grade 3.
• Ongoing dialogue with diverse communities informs planning and programming.

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:

• Champion diverse choices by supporting all current alternative programs, and potential new alternative choices, as valuable options for students and families.
• Advocate for continued funding, appropriate staffing, and specialized learning materials to maintain high quality instruction across every program.
• Encourage innovative teaching approaches that meet varied learning styles and allow students to pursue enriched or specialized studies.
• Support professional development that provides educators with ongoing training tailored to the unique goals of each alternative program.
• Maintain open communication with parents, students, and community partners to ensure programs reflect local priorities and remain responsive to changing needs.
• Work to provide equitable access and remove barriers so every interested student can participate regardless of background or circumstance.
• Ensure that programs demonstrate continuous improvement to keep programs vibrant, relevant, and effective for all learners.