Erin Williams wants to bring balance, trust in campaign as Steinbach Ward 3 trustee

Steinbach resident Erin Williams has added her name to the growing list of candidates for trustee in Ward 3 Steinbach.

Williams decided to run in her ward because she wants to bring balance back to the Hanover School Division board and she wants to put students and education first.

“My kids are all in public school, and…I’m in the classroom…I have some real life experience about what teachers are seeing, what EAs are seeing, what the principals are seeing. And I think they’re all amazing, and they’re all doing great jobs. I just think the board would be the next right step for me.”

Williams and her husband moved to Steinbach from Barrie, Ont., 16 years ago so that her husband could pursue his pilot’s licence. He is a pilot for Keewatin Air and flies to Nunavut regularly. The couple has four daughters in Grades 2 to 8 in the Hanover School Division. Williams worked for Valeant Pharmaceuticals as a documentation assistant in the quality assurance department until she had her third child.

She is currently a stay-at-home mom and works once a week as a bookkeeper for a local business. She volunteers at her daughters’ school, is on its parental advisory committee, and sits on the board for Artista Academy.

Aside from bringing balance to the board, Williams also wants to bring more anti-bullying options to Hanover and she wants to increase communication between the board and parents and the board and teachers. She also wants the board meetings publicized.

“People don’t know what trustees do, and I think it’s an important job. And I don’t think we should always be in the news. But I think just bringing some knowledge there,” she said, adding later, “I think the role of a trustee is to govern a division, not to be so much into it, a little more hands-off approach. And just to make sure we’re fiscally responsible and that proper policies are being written that are actually helpful and not putting red tape on our staff.”

Williams disagrees with the current board consdering the responsible use of school resources policy as it shows a lack of trust in teachers. The policy was tabled at this week’s board meeting.

“I agree the teachers should have curriculum that aligns, or use resources that align with, the curriculum, and I think they’re doing it. I haven’t had any issues with anything my kids have learned so far, and I have kids from Grade 2 to Grade 8. I think when we start doing that, we make a lot of work for our teachers and our principals, and their plates are already full. And I think it could show that the board doesn’t fully trust a fully certified teacher and I don’t think that’s right.”

Williams also disagrees with the student activism policy that was approved by the board during Tuesday’s regular board meeting.

“I can understand they want safety for the students, but for activism I think it’s a good opportunity for kids to learn and to think critically and to research and listen to people. Activism is uncomfortable and I think if we tell kids that they’re not allowed to speak up on an issue that they see that is a problem, that they might not even deal with it, it might be a friend of theirs, that we really do them a disservice.”

She believes that trustees should respect the human rights of all students and staff.

“If I become a trustee, I intend to follow Manitoba law, or Canadian law, and follow the policies that follow the law.”

Williams believes people should vote for her because she is open-minded, willing to listen, loves research, and likes to have all the facts before she makes a decision.

“I have worked really hard in the last year learning about trustees and what they do and reading through the (Public Schools Act). And I’ve really done my homework, so I hope that comes through on my social media, my websites, and I’d be happy to represent Steinbach.”