Response to LTA Questions
Questions for Trustee Candidates
Rod Ross
Web: rodross.ca
E: [email protected]
Thank-you for the opportunity to share a few words with your members via your newsletter. Democracy is the best system we have and although it can be messy and slow, when one considers the alternatives…my vote stays with democracy!
I have opted to share a few thoughts on “vision, engagement and issues” as outlined in a number of questions, rather than answering each question. I have always encouraged the Board to challenge its current paradigm to consider a “world class” paradigm instead. Although the district and the Board in particular have been understandably focused on the financial issues of the last few years, we have made some headway in educational challenges. A world class paradigm would say, what do we and what can we be “world class” at? Whether it be literacy results or Aboriginal transition rates or technology in the classroom…what do we want and what can we be world class at?
In answering this, I have made my focus to be…”Let’s be world class at technology in the classroom.” My experience and I believe research would back me up is that every dollar invested in classroom technology brings the greatest return on investment. My first hand knowledge is that to make education relevant to today’s learners teachers need to have access to today’s tools. If you want to get our students excited about learning…then get teacher’s excited about learning.
To this end, I have encouraged the Langley School District Foundation to support acquisition of new technologies for our teachers. This good work of the Foundation has purchased thousands of dollars in new technology for Math teachers and beyond. The Foundation is our secret weapon that no other school district has to the same level and maturity as we have and it will assist the School District in its funding needs well into the future. As public dollars dry-up I am forever grateful that Langley has the Foundation to come alongside us in our funding challenges. Imagine if we did not have it and ISP to assist us…where would we be?
As I mentioned previously, I believe the funding challenges of today will be with us well into the future. Blame whomever you want, but the challenge is still there for us to deal with. This is the key issue that all governments have to come to grips with. The public wants to drive a Lexus but does not want to pay for it. If so, the next question would be, “How do we fund it?” The way governments typically fund these enhancements is by cutting infrastructure. You can only delay roof repair for so long before water leaks through and you have an even bigger mess to deal with. We are at that place now in the western world.
So this leaves me to my final and closing response. You asked me if I wanted your endorsement. Here lies the problem of democracy. If one learns that one can vote in whatever person or party and receive what one wants…one gets what one wants…but not what one needs. While I would appreciate your support I wish to have your respect more. The medicine that the District needs to prescribe is not necessarily appreciated by the patient. We are precisely in this financial mess because politicians have said, “Yes” all too often so they are re-elected…not because they chose to lead.
With thanks,
Rod Ross
October 17, 2011
Rod Ross
Web: rodross.ca
E: [email protected]
Thank-you for the opportunity to share a few words with your members via your newsletter. Democracy is the best system we have and although it can be messy and slow, when one considers the alternatives…my vote stays with democracy!
I have opted to share a few thoughts on “vision, engagement and issues” as outlined in a number of questions, rather than answering each question. I have always encouraged the Board to challenge its current paradigm to consider a “world class” paradigm instead. Although the district and the Board in particular have been understandably focused on the financial issues of the last few years, we have made some headway in educational challenges. A world class paradigm would say, what do we and what can we be “world class” at? Whether it be literacy results or Aboriginal transition rates or technology in the classroom…what do we want and what can we be world class at?
In answering this, I have made my focus to be…”Let’s be world class at technology in the classroom.” My experience and I believe research would back me up is that every dollar invested in classroom technology brings the greatest return on investment. My first hand knowledge is that to make education relevant to today’s learners teachers need to have access to today’s tools. If you want to get our students excited about learning…then get teacher’s excited about learning.
To this end, I have encouraged the Langley School District Foundation to support acquisition of new technologies for our teachers. This good work of the Foundation has purchased thousands of dollars in new technology for Math teachers and beyond. The Foundation is our secret weapon that no other school district has to the same level and maturity as we have and it will assist the School District in its funding needs well into the future. As public dollars dry-up I am forever grateful that Langley has the Foundation to come alongside us in our funding challenges. Imagine if we did not have it and ISP to assist us…where would we be?
As I mentioned previously, I believe the funding challenges of today will be with us well into the future. Blame whomever you want, but the challenge is still there for us to deal with. This is the key issue that all governments have to come to grips with. The public wants to drive a Lexus but does not want to pay for it. If so, the next question would be, “How do we fund it?” The way governments typically fund these enhancements is by cutting infrastructure. You can only delay roof repair for so long before water leaks through and you have an even bigger mess to deal with. We are at that place now in the western world.
So this leaves me to my final and closing response. You asked me if I wanted your endorsement. Here lies the problem of democracy. If one learns that one can vote in whatever person or party and receive what one wants…one gets what one wants…but not what one needs. While I would appreciate your support I wish to have your respect more. The medicine that the District needs to prescribe is not necessarily appreciated by the patient. We are precisely in this financial mess because politicians have said, “Yes” all too often so they are re-elected…not because they chose to lead.
With thanks,
Rod Ross
October 17, 2011
