Seeing first hand the challenges that school districts face throughout the province, has prompted Julie Planiden to seek election as School Trustee.
She has served on Parent Advisory Councils in six different districts over the past 13 years, since her oldest daughter was in kindergarten. She has served on the Advisory Council in Summerland since 2008 and with a daughter still in school, may do so for some time yet.
“I would like the opportunity to be a really strong voice for Summerland within our district, but also provincially,” she said. “I think Summerland is a really unique place and we have an opportunity because we’re small and there is a huge sense of community here. I’d like to build on that through any opportunities I have as a School trustee.”
Planiden is proud to be from a place that has the kind of young people that are found in Summerland.
“I think we have lots and lots of young people who are doing incredible things.”
She hopes to make a difference for all students in this district and hopefully bring about improvements in learning and the experiences that students are having, thus leading to their success.
“I think being a strong voice is really important and working together to make the opportunities for students in Summerland that much more available.”