Name: Larry Hayes
Website: www.burnabycitizens.ca
QUESTIONS (in 50 words or less unless specified)
Tell us about yourself. (100 words)
Burnaby has been home for all of my life. I am a graduate of Burnaby’s amazing public school system at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels. I’ve spent over forty years in volunteer work, public service and community activism in youth sports, the social services and our public education system, where I’ve enjoyed five terms as your elected School Trustee. For my community work, I was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and in sports, I’ve been recognized as an Honoured Member of the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame and Life Member of the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association.
What are the top 3 issues facing the Burnaby school board?
1. Ensure that Burnaby teachers have the classroom resources and technology they need for our children to learn and thrive.
2. Ensure that Burnaby schools are safe and accessible for students.
3. Expand on the “Family of Schools” model as a means to building community.
What has the current school board done right?
The ongoing issues that face the Burnaby School Board are ensuring effective financial management, which includes cost savings through state-of-the-art energy efficiencies, being on the leading-edge in providing all learners with challenging course options and in continuing to guarantee an inclusive and safe environment for students and staff.
What have they done wrong?
Of course, there is always room for improvement, but I would not categorize anything as being “done wrong”. One thing that I would like to see is allowing more parent and student involvement on Committees in order to take advantage of the thoughts and experiences of more of our partners.
What is your favourite thing about Burnaby public schools:
Burnaby’s public schools continue to provide safe, caring and inclusive learning environments for all students and staff. Not only are top-level academic courses provided, the District also strives to embrace student choice in the arts, vocational and career programs. All of this is achieved through sound fiscal management.
What 3 people would you invite to a dinner party?
My boyhood hero Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon for going where no one has gone before, my favourite teacher, Norm Shuto, for encouraging my creative learning and my late parents to tell them how their unselfish hard work has made me want to emulate their ideals.
Editor's note: Candidates were given specific word count guidelines and were cut off if they went over the count.
