Meet your candidates for School Board Trustee: Ryan MacKay

1-Who are you, where are you from, what experience do you have (this can be work, volunteer, etc)

My name is Ryan MacKay; I was born in Cornwall but grew up just outside the city at Grant’s Corners in South Glengarry. I left for Ottawa after high school to pursue my degree and stayed there until 2010. At that time, I felt it was right for me to return to my home community, as this is where I knew I wanted to raise my family. For the past 19 years I have been employed at Carleton University. One aspect of my job requirement is to sit on the departmental boards that govern the academic units. These bodies make informed decisions through consultation and deliberation on the best paths forward for the unit and the students. Closer to home in our community, I have served as Secretary for the past two years on the executive board for Bereaved Families of Ontario – South Eastern Region. Additionally, I have prior experience working in government, having been a staffer to former Member of Provincial Parliament John Cleary. I am familiar with government and board government, two important assets for this role.

2-Why are you running for the position of school board trustee?

My campaign is focused on the promise and commitment to bring a Fresh Perspective to the Board and all matters pertaining to education locally. We need a fresh set of eyes on the challenges ahead, someone who will be an advocate for students, families, and educational workers. We need a trustee who will position Cornwall as a community partner; someone who is prepared to work in conjunction with our local and neighbouring representatives for the advancement of public education.

3-In what ways have you been of service to public education prior to your becoming a candidate in this election?

As previously mentioned, I am currently employed at Carleton University, currently serving as the Departmental Administrator for the Department of Neuroscience. My most direct experience has thus been working with students after they have left our system and have moved on to higher education. I have witnessed many changes over the years and have attained an unique perspective on what our students need to be successful in their post-secondary pathways, wherever that might lead them.

4-In your opinion, what issue is the most pressing and how do you plan on tackling it.

While there are a lot of issues that are currently pressing, I will frame my answer on the grounds that the overall budget is the most pressing issue. While there are obligations that we cannot ignore, we need fresh eyes to examine our spending priorities. Are our educational workers getting the supports they need? Are we maintaining our infrastructure? Are we ensuring we have adequate staffing levels to meet our enrolment demands and to alleviate stress in our schools?

If we prioritise people, then property, I think that will put us on a good pathway to making sound investments and spending decisions. To do this, we need to sit down and completely review what it is we’re spending on and determine our most pressing needs vs longer term spending plans. You accomplish this by working as a team, having those discussions and approach the process with a critical eye, not a rubber stamp.

5-Why are you the best person for the job

My livelihood, and that of my entire family, is rooted in our education system. My wife is a RECE at Rockland P.S., so I have insight into the issues of concern for the educational staff. My children, grades one and JK respectively, attend Eamer’s Corners P.S. As one person said to me “you’re a parent like us, so you get it.” I can relate to what fellow parents are facing and understand the decisions we make regarding our children.

I am running to be an active trustee who keeps open lines of communication with our city. I intend to be active with all our schools, our parent’s councils, and our staff to keep stay up to date with the pulse of the community. I want to raise the profile of educational issues by keeping people informed through frequent updates, not left wondering what is happening at the decision table and what it means locally. Finally, and what I feel is most important, I will be supportive of our students and active in our community. Leadership is about more than sitting around a table attending meetings. Leadership is being engaged, and actively finding ways to foster environments that encourage student success. I recently announced my “Investment in Students” pledge. In that release I detailed how I will aim to create the Leadership of Tomorrow series of awards for our graduating students at both the elementary and secondary level, with the recipients from the high schools receiving $250 each. This funding will come from my own personal donations and not drawn from any UCDSB funds.

I believe our youth have the unlimited potential to shape and guide our world in a positive direction. I intend to do my part to encourage, inspire and lead them in those ambitions. This is part of what I mean when I say I am running to provide A Fresh Perspective in local education.