Nicole L. Peltier, 4th year student at Nipissing University, local entrepreneur, single mother, and 2014 Green Party of Ontario-Nipissing District candidate is now running for Trustee of Near North District School Board-Zone 1.
During the provincial elections, Peltier was a strong advocate for one secular public education system under two school boards: French and English.
In a news release, Peltier says across the province, the savings from a school board merger would save up to $1.6 billion annually to be re-invested into educational programming.
An elimination of the EQAO would save a projected $35M and be used in other ways, by hiring an additional 1200 EA's or 700 Phys Ed. teachers.
EQAO is a mass test for grades 3 and 6. EQAO stands for Education Quality and Accountability Office.
"I believe that our youth of today will be the leaders of tomorrow.
"I dropped out of high school at 16 and returned to school through an adult education program. I graduated from West Ferris SS with Honours and received the President's Scholarship from Nipissing University.
"Education has enriched my life and pulled my family out of poverty. Our communities, rural and urban, deserve the best education possible."
Peltier has four primary goals in developing education delivery:
1-Work with Trustees to formulate and implement Long Term strategic education plans for rural and urban locales
2-Promote and enhance Adult Education initiatives
3-Improve communication, inclusiveness with parents and youth
4-Endeavor working towards One School System
"I will ensure that our communities have the best quality education across the board. A smart society leads to a smart economy through research, technology, and innovation. Education is key.
"Leading up to now, we have been dealt a set of Northern challenges to which we can shape a multitude of opportunities from. I want to be a part of the solution in moving forward and enhancing our local educational stance. I will listen and advocate for the the wants and needs of the citizens, parents, and our brilliant youth."
Peltier joins Marc DEMERS, David THOMPSON Jane JACKSON, Michelina BEAM, Louise SARGENT and Frank O’HAGAN in the race.
Email Nicole Peltier at [email protected]
