Municipal elections are October 26 in Ontario. To help voters make an informed decision here in Cornwall, the editorial board of The Seeker has put together 10 questions for candidates seeking to be elected as School Board Trustee. To ensure fairness, the same questions were sent to every candidate. We sent a total of 10 and they had the option to answer all of them, or pick a minimum of 5. Their answers will be published in their entirety, in the order they are received. We will not edit, correct or modify any responses.
These are Katherine Vrastak’s Answers. She is running for trustee for UCDSBEO.
1. Who are you, and what experience or perspective would you bring to the school board if elected?
I’m Katherine “Kate” Vrastak, with more than 20 years of experience supporting students and families in education. I would bring compassion, frontline experience, advocacy and a commitment to listening to students, parents, educators and support staff before making decisions.
2. What do you believe is the biggest issue facing students and families in Cornwall and the surrounding area, and what would you do about it?
Student safety, mental health and emotional well-being are deeply connected to learning. I would advocate for earlier intervention, stronger in-school supports and safe environments where every child feels seen, heard and valued. Children require a safe environment where their nervous systems can thrive. Eamers Corners is needing a new school built for inclusion and safety therefore no walking out in cold temperatures to portables.
3. What can the school board do to improve student achievement, particularly for students who are struggling in reading, writing and mathematics?
We need smaller, manageable class sizes so educators have more time to recognize individual learning and emotional needs. Early intervention, strong literacy and numeracy supports, and additional help for struggling students must remain priorities.
4. How should the board address staffing challenges, including recruiting and retaining teachers, educational assistants and other support staff?
We must value and retain the people already doing this important work. Competitive recruitment, meaningful professional support, manageable workloads and respect for teachers, educational assistants and support staff are essential to strong schools.
5. What should the board do to improve support for students with special education needs and ensure families can access the services their children require?
Families should not have to fight to access services. I would support timely assessments, appropriate staffing, inclusive programming and better communication so students with special education needs receive the support they deserve.
6. School transportation is facing financial pressures and potential changes. What would you do to ensure Cornwall-area students have reliable transportation without putting an unreasonable burden on families?
Reliable transportation is essential to equitable education. I would advocate for solutions that protect safe, dependable access to school without shifting unreasonable costs or responsibilities onto families.
7. How should the board balance the needs of Cornwall’s urban schools with those of smaller and rural schools in the surrounding communities when making decisions about funding, programs and possible school closures or consolidations?
Every community deserves to be heard. Decisions about funding, programs, consolidation or closures should consider student well-being, transportation, community impact and long-term educational quality—not finances alone.
8. What is your position on cellphone use and other technology in schools, and where should the board draw the line?
Technology can support learning, but it should never interfere with safety, attention or healthy relationships. Clear, age-appropriate boundaries are needed, while allowing educators flexibility when technology has a genuine educational purpose.
9. What is your position on AI use, and where should the board draw the line?
AI should be taught responsibly, not feared or ignored. Students need guidance in ethical use, critical thinking, privacy and academic integrity, while teachers need clear policies and professional development.
10. If elected, what is the first issue you would bring to the board table on behalf of Cornwall-area students and families, and what specific action would you want the board to take?
I would bring forward student safety and learning conditions, including advocating for Eamers Corners to become one complete new school without portables. I would also push for responsible class-size caps so educators can give greater attention to students’ academic, emotional and individual needs.
My approach is simple: lead with compassion, listen before deciding, and remember that behind every policy, budget and statistic is a child, a family and an educator who deserves to feel supported.
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