A Stronger Future for Barrhaven Students, Families and Schools

Barrhaven is one of Ottawa's fastest-growing communities. Our schools must keep pace with our students, families and community.

Student success depends on strong schools, dedicated educators, engaged families and responsible leadership. I will work collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, educational assistants, support staff and the broader community to build better schools for Barrhaven.

Families and children with backpacks climbing the steps into a school entrance

PLATFORM

PUT LEARNING FIRST

Put Learning First

A teacher leaning in to help a student at a classroom desk

The fundamental purpose of education is learning. Every student should leave school with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for the next stage of life.

I WILL WORK TO

  1. Strengthen literacy and mathematics achievement through evidence-based teaching, effective classroom practices, and timely support for students who are falling behind.

  2. Put students' voices at the centre by listening to their experiences, ideas, and concerns and encouraging meaningful participation in decisions about their learning and school experience.

  3. Protect access to diverse educational opportunities, including French Immersion and other programs that meet students' interests and needs.

  4. Prepare students for their future by strengthening pathways to university, college, skilled trades and the workforce while building critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and digital literacy skills.

  5. Support high expectations for every student while recognizing diverse needs and circumstances, and helping students use technology and artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively.

BUILD THE SCHOOLS BARRHAVEN NEEDS

Build the Schools Barrhaven Needs

Students walking away down a school corridor with their backpacks

Barrhaven is growing rapidly. Our school infrastructure must keep pace with that growth.

I WILL WORK TO

  1. Advocate for new schools and expanded capacity where Barrhaven's growth and enrolment require it, with long-term planning based on realistic population projections.

  2. Address overcrowding and reduce reliance on portable classrooms by accelerating permanent school capacity and infrastructure solutions.

  3. Better coordinate housing growth, enrolment projections, school planning and infrastructure investment so schools keep pace with community development.

  4. Promote safe, reliable and efficient student transportation and respond proactively to transportation challenges.

  5. Keep families informed and minimize disruption by providing timely communication about capacity pressures, school boundaries, school changes and transportation issues.

SAFE, HEALTHY & SUPPORTED SCHOOLS

Safe, Healthy & Supported Schools

A group of smiling students together outdoors

Students learn best when they feel safe, respected, included, and supported.

I WILL WORK TO

  1. Foster safe, respectful and inclusive schools where every student feels valued, supported and treated with dignity.

  2. Address bullying, violence and serious disruptive behaviour promptly, fairly and appropriately to protect a positive learning environment.

  3. Strengthen mental health and well-being supports, with a focus on early intervention for students facing anxiety, isolation, bullying or other barriers to learning.

  4. Improve support for students with special educational needs, ensuring appropriate accommodations and access to the resources they need to succeed.

  5. Make student well-being a priority in Board decisions, ensuring safety, inclusion, and student needs remain central to educational planning and policy.

Student success depends on strong schools, dedicated educators, engaged families and responsible leadership.

GIVE PARENTS & FAMILIES A STRONGER VOICE

Give Parents & Families a Stronger Voice

A family gathered around a kitchen table

Parents and caregivers know their children better than anyone. They should be genuine partners in their children's education, not simply informed after the fact.

I WILL WORK TO

  1. Strengthen parent and caregiver participation in school board decision-making and give families meaningful opportunities to raise concerns and provide input.

  2. Improve communication between the Board, schools and families through clear, timely, accessible and transparent information.

  3. Ensure meaningful consultation before major changes to school boundaries, programs, school closures or consolidations, transportation and other decisions affecting students.

  4. Build stronger partnerships among parents, teachers, school councils and community organizations, while strengthening the role of school councils and parent representatives.

  5. Make engagement more inclusive and accessible for families from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

SUPPORT OCDSB STAFF SUCCESS

Support OCDSB Staff Success

A teacher presenting in front of a whiteboard

When staff are supported, respected, and equipped to succeed, students benefit. Teachers, educational assistants, early childhood educators, administrators, office staff, custodians, and other school employees are essential to our children's success.

I WILL WORK TO

  1. Value and respect teachers, educational assistants and support staff and foster positive, collaborative school environments.

  2. Advocate for the resources, tools and professional supports staff need to succeed and support student learning.

  3. Listen to staff and understand their classroom realities, ensuring their practical experience informs Board policies and operational decisions.

  4. Support meaningful professional learning and development that responds to evolving classroom needs and strengthens staff engagement, retention and morale.

  5. Recognize that investing in staff well-being and collaboration benefits students, strengthening partnerships among educators, administrators, families and the Board.

RESPONSIBLE SPENDING & ACCOUNTABILITY

Responsible Spending & Accountability

Hands writing figures beside a calculator

Every education dollar should be used responsibly, transparently, and with a clear focus on better outcomes for students. The OCDSB manages public resources entrusted to it by taxpayers. Financial responsibility and educational excellence must go hand in hand.

I WILL WORK TO

  1. Strengthen financial transparency and accountability so families and taxpayers can clearly understand how public education dollars are being spent.

  2. Prioritize spending that directly benefits students, including learning, student well-being and front-line school services.

  3. Demand measurable results from major programs and investments, using evidence and outcomes to guide funding decisions.

  4. Promote responsible, evidence-based budgeting and long-term financial planning, including capital investments that address current needs and future enrolment growth.

  5. Communicate openly about the Board's finances, including its challenges, priorities, major decisions and results.

A whitewater rafting team paddling together

I will bring students, parents, educators, support staff and community members together to listen, collaborate and deliver practical solutions to the challenges facing our schools.

It is about our children, our schools and Barrhaven's future.

Together, let's build a stronger future for Barrhaven students, families and schools.

Students First.

Families Heard.

Staff Supported.

Community Involved.

Financially Strong.

The most important way to support the campaign is to vote on October 26

HOW TO VOTE