Hanover school trustee candidate wants to repair trust between parents, teachers

A parent within Hanover School Division has put her name in for consideration for school trustee and one of her goals is to repair the divide between parents and teachers that she says has been formed by the current board’s policies.

“My core platform positions would be ensuring that all of our children are safe in school, that our teachers are equipped to deliver high-quality education rather than micromanaged or having policies that tie their hands,” said Sarah Wieler, who is running for Ward 3 Steinbach. “I’m concerned that there’s been some mistrust sown with some of the language and policies between parents and teachers.”

Wieler mentioned the recent news article with trustee Jeff Friesen, who is running for a second term, where he states there is a lack of trust between teachers and parents within the division.

“I don’t know that’s necessarily true, but I think that any mistrust or uncertainty has actually come as a result of some of the recent policies that the board’s put forward, calling into question the judgment of teachers and that they have designs on anything other than our children’s safety and success in mind. I would like to see that repaired.”

Wieler has a child in the Hanover School Division and has been attending the division’s board meetings for more than two-and-a-half years. As a parent, she thinks it’s important to be involved and aware of what’s going on in the division that her child attends. She is a strong proponent of the public school system, especially its teachers.

She feels the purpose of the board is to liaise between the community and the schools and to equip teachers with the tools they need to teach students “in a fiscally responsible, forward-thinking, student-centered way.”

“I’m concerned with what I’m seeing. It’s become evident that a lot of the board members have come with their own agenda, and I think that that’s not right. No one should be coming with their own personal agenda,” she said, adding she feels that the board is representing the beliefs of a group of parents and ignoring the rest.

“I’m just saying that they shouldn’t be the only voice that’s being listened to. Our community is diverse. It’s not the same. Steinbach’s not the same as it was 50 years ago. We are diverse and richer and better for that diversity.”

A number of policies have been passed or are in the process of being approved by the board that have been controversial with the public who have voiced their concerns online.

One of those policies is the proposed delegitimization of the legally recognized mature minor status within Hanover schools. Wieler doesn’t agree with the board approving such a policy, which recently received more than 1,000 signatures opposing it.

“It’s been decried by many groups who are well-versed in the law and the health-care system. It’s blatantly not a legal policy to have in place,” she said.

Another policy she feels that undermines the trust in teachers is the Responsible Use of School Resources policy that dictates what can and can’t be used to teach students and allows a parent to pull their children out of learning about certain subjects if the parent objects to it.

“Again, I feel like there’s a vein in that policy that could sow some mistrust in the intentions and the integrity and the judgment of our teachers. I don’t think any teacher, librarian, anyone who has anything to do with the students is bringing in resources or materials that are not appropriate, right?

“Our teachers are trained, well-educated to deliver the curriculum to our students. And I think to call into question on such a global scale that warrants a whole policy that our teachers are generally not doing that, that doesn’t sit well with me.”

Wieler would also like to see more public engagement with the board at meetings.

“An open mic free-for-all is not what I’m going for necessarily, but I think the current process demands that you put your request in writing so far in advance, and only within this small window, and you may or may not be approved to speak at the board with whatever your concern is. And I think that’s very limiting,” she said.

She also believes the division should steward its resources responsibly, with smart spending, fair compensation for staff, and long term planning for growth in the division.

“HSD has one of the lowest per student dollar spending in Manitoba, and I don’t actually think that’s a mark of success,” she said during a speech announcing her candidacy on July 17.

A registered nurse by trade for 20 years, the Blumenort resident moved to Hanover more than three years ago from British Columbia. She said people should vote for her because she has more than a decade of managing a nursing department under her belt, which also required writing policies, working with the provincial government, and working with multi-million dollar budgets.

As a nurse she said she was trained to work with people which required active listening and clear communication and treating people with compassion. She also said her education has equipped her to work hard, think critically, and to understand that there is always more to learn.

She currently sits on the board of Agape House and has volunteered in organizing the La Broquerie farmer’s market. She believes in volunteering because she likes to give back to her community.

“I’m passionate. I’m excited. And I want to see some good things for Hanover,” she said.

Ward 3 is currently held by trustees Lynn Barkman, Ron Falk, Danielle Funk, and Brad Unger. Only trustee Brad Unger has confirmed he will not be running in this election as he will run for city council. To date, Jeff Friesen is the only trustee who has made his candidacy public. Ward 2 trustee Charmaine Toews will not be running for a second term, she has declined an interview.