Bio
Diane began teaching at age 18 In Alberta. Not including a parenthood break, she has been directly involved with public education for 35 years as a member of CUPE and the BCTF. Diane holds a Bachelor of education degree started at the University of Alberta, and completed at UVic. She completed a five year diploma in French Language and Literature at UVic in two years, and followed up with a Masters degree in business administration from Royal Roads University in 2001. Diane was elected as a trustee on the Board of Education SD61 Greater Victoria in November 2011 after 22 years teaching in special education, learning support and Reading Recovery in School District 61. She has long been a vocal defender of public education, a public good that is under attack via ongoing underfunding and offloading of costs to school districts resulting in ongoing and increasing challenges for teaching staff, maintenance staff and education assistant staff. Underfunding from the Ministry of Education, along with School District 61’s chronic and increasing gap between spending and funding has resulted in an annually increasing structural deficit in SD61 that now stands at more than $8 million. Dealing with this deficit calls for much increased outreach and much increased public and Trustee involvement in the work of School District 61.If elected, Diane will make that a priority.
Why should I vote for you?
10 years CUPE EA, 25 years teacher, three years Trustee; know public education from the inside out. Will not approve needs budget only and be fired. Wonderful things happening in SD61 schools; kudos to students and employees. However. SD61 budget of $200 million and no strategic plan. Recurring growing structural deficit $8.5 million, cuts every year to balance budget. Eventually will impact your child's classroom. UnitedSD61 colleagues and I will undertake related hard work at SD61 Board instead of more happy talk. For accountability and transparency, re-elect Diane McNally.
Your main goal if elected?
Much greater trustee involvement with the SD61 budget (minimal at present) and public outreach for community involvement to deal with the unsustainable and growing structural deficit that requires $8.5 million in cuts every year. "Squeaking by with a small "surplus" "every year is not good enough and is not going to work much longer. Or can it? How much is there to be cut that is not at the classroom level? I'd like to know, and believe that you would, too.