Carlene Smith wants to bring a fresh set of eyes to Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools’ board of trustees.
The mother of three is running for one of five positions in the board’s Red Deer and Area ward in the Oct. 16 municipal election.
“Maintaining the integrity of Catholic education is really important to our division,” said Smith. “I whole-heartedly believe in the fundamentals, the benefits, the advancements and the great additions that a Catholic eduction gives to children.”
Smith said the biggest need for RDCRS is to create new schools and to modernize outdated schools.
“We have schools that are sitting at overpopulation status or near it,” she said.
For the past seven years, Smith has been on the parent council at St. Patrick’s Community School. She served as council chair for five years.
“I’ve already been in a decision-making position – it was just for an individual school.
“I’m actively involved in my community – everybody kind of knows me. I really do vie for honest feedback and honest direction,” she said.
Smith said she would represent a demographic that is mostly absent from the board – parents with multiple children enrolled in RDCRS.
“I feel like I could definitely bring some youth to the current trustee board,” she said.
Along with youth, Smith said she brings dedication to everything she does and will fight for what she believes is right.
“I’m not afraid to stand up for people, I’m not afraid to speak on people’s behalf, and I’m definitely not afraid to talk through difficult and challenging situations to find a resolution.”
It’s important to get a fresh set of eyes on the issues RDCRS faces for it to continue to grow, she added.
“I bring a lot of additional perspective,” she said. “I am so excited for this opportunity, and I hope I can get my name in front of enough people to make a difference in our district.”
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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