Minister of Education listening to views of school board candidates

Tom Hedderson, Minister of Education, is pleased with the level of interest in school board elections and is listening to the views that have been expressed by candidates to the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association (NLSBA). The minister is also encouraged that the NLSBA has operated such a professional communications program to attract potential candidates and to encourage electors to vote.

�Local concerns raised by school board candidates are certainly important to us as a government,� said Minister Hedderson. �They can be confident that world-class education is among our highest priorities. Although we recognize the realities of declining enrollment in our K-12 system, we will continue to invest in improved school buildings, safer school buses, and smaller class sizes.�

�The NLSBA is to be commended on the great job that they have done with their campaign to encourage candidates to come forward,� added the minister. �Candidates and others are now turning their attention to reminding people to vote in elections next Tuesday. As far as school boards are concerned, the future of our school children is in the hands of local voters, and it is important for people to cast a ballot on September 27.

�I certainly echo the message to electors to get out and vote for their local school board candidate.�

Media contact: Alex Marland, (709) 729-0048, 690-6047

2005 09 22                               2:20 p.m.