Trustee Candidate Forum
The VTA has collaborated with CUPE and DPAC to host the SD22 School Board Trustee Candidate Forum.
It will be held Monday, October 3rd, 7PM-9PM at Vernon Secondary School Theatre with Mel Maglio moderating.
It is vital that we all vote in this election. We have a wonderful opportunity to help elect a board of trustees who will encourage open dialogue among all partners about aspirations, needed change, and how to provide well-run schools transparently.
There are several excellent candidates running in this election.
We Are Concerned
We are very concerned about three candidates being run in Vernon by ParentsVoice BC: Sylvia Herchen, Jewlie Milligan and Nellie Villegas. ParentsVoice is an electoral organization with members who have extreme right-wing political views and who belong to special interest religious groups. All three candidates have provided only vague information in their bios and to the media about their principles, values, and ambitions.
Jewlie Milligan, claims to stand for openness and transparency but refused interviews and has not responded to DPAC, CUPE and VTA’s Candidate Questionnaire –none of the PVBC candidates have responded. Sylvia Herchen conflates inclusive and accessible bathrooms with sex education and states, “sex education is overrated”. Nellie Villegas refused to provide her opinion on SOGI saying it is personal and has nothing to do with her service to people.
We hope to see you at the Candidate Forum on Monday evening.
Context
Below you will find links to several articles that provide greater context for these concerns.
Daybreak South: Chris Walker looks into a new political party called, ParentsVoice BC
New B.C. party pushing school board candidates with anti-vax and conspiratorial views
Politics as usual or a serious problem? ‘Extreme’ candidates running in B.C. communities
ParentsVoice BC to run slate of candidates in Kelowna wanting to ‘take back our schools
Mysterious slate of right-wing school board candidates on Vernon, Kelowna ballots
ParentsVoice BC aims to elect school board candidates in 10 B.C. districts
