Paul Salvatori

Trustees, the Board, and the Province

The most important thing I’d act on as School Board Trustee is ensuring every student has a safe and engaging educational environment where they can honour their potential and build meaningful social bonds — the foundation of a compassionate community. As an educator, I have experience creating environments where students, along with their families, feel heard, valued and supported.

Bullying in Schools

I believe a School Board Trustee, in keeping with key Christian principles of responsibility and care, should do their utmost to ensure that bullying and discrimination have no place in school communities. Where it occurs, they should ensure that those who engage in it are held accountable. I also believe such behaviour can arise from unresolved conflict and hidden pain. As Trustee, I would work to identify that pain and help students heal, without minimizing the impact of their behaviour.

Class Sizes and Staffing

As a School Board Trustee, but also as an educator, I take these concerns quite seriously. I believe students learn best when they regularly receive the attention they both deserve and are entitled to. That requires teachers and EAs alike not to be overburdened by having to oversee too many students. As Trustee, I would advocate for staffing levels and class sizes where students can receive one-to-one and/or small-group instruction. Staff and students alike should be able to learn and work without undue stress.

Special Programs and Program Access

I believe, as a School Board Trustee, that it is paramount that we not so much prioritize programs as prioritize the learning needs, interests and learning styles of students. Accordingly, I would be proactive in understanding and identifying these aspects of our students and ensuring that specialized programs are both offered and accessible in ways that respond to them. Every student should have the opportunity to engage in programs that are particularly suited to who they are as unique persons.