October 18, 2004 is Election Day in Red Deer.  Return to Election Forum - Catholic School Board Candidates

Steve McEachern

Candidate for Catholic School Trustee

HISTORY

• My family consists of my wife Kathryn, and my daughters Shealynn-13 years old and Macailee- 10 years old. My wife works as a Teacher Assistant in one of the local catholic schools and both my daughters attend area catholic schools.

• We have lived in Red Deer for the last 18 months. We moved here from Lloydminster where we resided for 20+ years. We came to Red Deer to help open a new heavy truck dealership where I work in a sales position.

• While in Lloydminster, I was a trustee with the Lloydminster Catholic Separate School Division for the 2000-2003 term. I was chairperson during the last year of that term.

• During my term as a trustee, I served on the following committees-

• Hiring Committee- Assisted interviewing all new potential division employees.

• Properties Committee- Reviewed maintenance and upgrades required on all division facilities including the construction on a new high school

• Finance Committee- Committee Chairperson, reviewed all division expenditures.

• During that term, I was a member of the Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial catholic trustee associations.

• During my term I attended two national Canadian Catholic School Trustee Assoc. conventions.

• Other volunteer experience include 4 years with the Kinsmen Club of Lloydminster, which included being named that clubs Kinsmen of the Year. I also served on the Lloydminster Volunteer Fire Dept for 4 years.

• Upon moving to Red Deer, my family joined St Mary’s Parish. I joined the RCIA program at St. Mary’s to strengthen my understanding of the Catholic faith and to continue my faith journey.

• I am very strong in my Catholic faith and believe in living and portraying positive Christian values
  

BELIEFS

• I believe that the recent elimination of the provincial debt will create many opportunities, as well as challenges. I believe the province will be facing increased funding requests from many deserving groups and organizations. Unfortunately, there is the possibility that there will not be enough surplus funds to fulfill those requirements. Red Deer Catholic Schools have seen increasing enrollment numbers over the last number of years. As our needs and aspirations increase with higher enrollment, so will our need for our share of increased funding. Funding for programming, capital expenditures, and adequate staffing to name a few. There is a demand for smaller class sizes all across this province. If we take all of the current classes in our schools and reduce them by a few students per class, we would end up with smaller class sizes, but a higher number of classes. Now if many of our schools are close to capacity, where do we put these extra classes we created? We can add classrooms to our existing schools, or we can build new schools, but this takes time and money. Will we be able to hire adequate staffing for our higher number of classes? Yes, providing there is enough educators available now and in the future, but again, we need to have funding in place to accomplish these goals. I am a believer in manageable class sizes, but there are many challenges involved with achieving these goals.

• I believe that the strength of our Catholic Schools are the people within these schools. Our staff and students teaching and learning in an environment inspired by and committed to the teachings of our faith. But this is something that cannot be taken for granted. Our ability to provide an educational system that is based on our Catholic Faith is a privilege that is to be cherished. Through discussions with Catholic trustees from other provinces, I have learned that we have an educational system that is to be envied. Especially by provinces that have lost their right to Catholic Education. I believe we need to continue to work to ensure we have a strong Catholic Educational school system for many years to come.

• I believe that many of the issues facing society today are the result of a ‘watering down’ of our personal beliefs and morals. I am encouraged that my children are educated in a system where there is an appreciation for oneself and others around you, where social justices are not just talked about, but experienced. I believe that through our Catholic Education, our children are better prepared to handle the challenges that they will face in the future. I would like to do what I can to help preserve and enhance this educational system.
  
• I believe that we have a very strong and vibrant Catholic School Board in the City of Red Deer. I believe that through my past experiences in both business and trusteeship, and my strong Christian faith, I offer many talents and abilities that will further strengthen the guidance and leadership of the Red Deer Regional Catholic School Division.

Please vote Steve McEachern for Catholic School Trustee on October 18.

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