Locke Spencer for School Board Trustee
looking to the future
Background:
I've lived in Lethbridge for over 20 years and my wife and I are the parents of 6 children attending four schools within Lethbridge School Division, of which 4 are in the French Immersion program. I'm a Professor and former Research Chair at the University of Lethbridge developing instrumentation and technology for space telescopes. I teach and study engineering, astronomy, and physics, with specialization in astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology. I serve as the lead negotiator for the collective agreement for the University faculty association. I chair the local regional science fair and science olympics, and serve on various community and University committees.
I want to bring my unique perspective as a parent, educator, scientist, and academic to the Lethbridge Public school board trustee position and ensure that our students, teachers, and parents have the resources and tools they need such that students, our children, are fully prepared for their futures and get the best possible education within the best possible environment.
Elections Issues:
There are several themes that I see as important in this election cycle:
- Class size and complexity
- High enrollment and class complexity combined leave teachers overworked and many students are struggling. Inclusion policies without appropriate resources can result in feelings of abandonment and isolation among those affected. This requires more teachers and EAs and sufficient resources in the classrooms and schools. Some of these challenges require provincial resources to best address, and the School Board has a responsibility to advocate for these needs. Unfortunately, the province stopped collecting data on class sizes and class complexity years ago. We should start taking this data again to better inform response and policy. With or without sufficient funding from the province, data will enable informed policy and allow for progress checks as things evolve. As we better understand our local challenges and opportunities we can thoughtfully address issues and establish the community needed to ensure that we are providing the best learning environment for students that we can.
- Meaningful stakeholder consultation and transparency
- Recently there have been many policy changes and provincial directives that have come down to the School Boards. These include curriculum changes, book policies, sports policies, etc. I feel that many of these policies have not been given proper thought and consideration before implementation. This leaves many stakeholders uninformed and unheard, and leaves some bewildered working through changes that do not seem to fit and may not make sense in some respects. In an age where trust in leadership is eroding and online media has the potential to polarize various groups, it is important that the constituents of the education system have opportunities to shape the system that is evolving to serve them. Open ended consultation regarding emergent issues and questions gives space for community stakeholders to provide their perspective and understand other views and needs within the system. Meaningful and intentional consultation is critical to invite people to help build a system rather than be subject to it. It will be important to review current policies and ensure that they are best serving the students, teachers, staff, and division community. It will be very important to approach change and policy implementation with stakeholders in mind and initiate appropriate consultation as part of the development process rather than as an afterthought.
- Rebuilding relationships in the post-job action environment
- The current strike/lockout is difficult and this will not simply vanish when a new deal is ratified. The circumstances that led to the bargaining challenges, impasse, and strike/lockout will need the right provincial and local attention to see improvements. While I do not understand all of the current issues with the system, I have experience with collective agreement negotiations, job action, and rebuilding post ratification. It is important for all parties to have opportunities to be heard, feel welcomed, and be part of the team. This work also includes students who need to have their perspectives understood and heard, and who need to see that they are part of the community building that needs to happen. Much of this work will need to take place at the school level, while relationships within the division and with the provincial management will also need strengthened and rebuilt. Having the school Board attentive to this effort will be an important aspect of restoring all of the good things that are needed and improving upon the areas needing further attention.
Please contact me with any questions you may have or look at my stance on a variety of topics on this website. I hope you will consider voting for me. Thank you. Locke
I acknowledge that the city of Lethbridge is located on the lands of the Blackfoot people of the Canadian Plains. I respect the Blackfoot people past, present and future while recognizing and respecting their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship to the land. I offer respect to the Metis and all who have lived on this land and made Lethbridge their home. (Based on the city of Lethbridge land acknowledgement.)
