Before the Ballot-School Trustee Edition with Mary Nardini,Candidate for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Trustee (Separate) – Ward 10.

Enjoy this instalment of Before the Ballot- School Trustee Edition with Mary Nardini,Candidate for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Trustee (Separate)  – Ward 10.

Please tell our readers a little about yourself and what motivated you to seek election as a School Board Trustee.

I enjoy advocating for my fellow community members and ensure that their concerns are raised at the board level. I will always seek to resolve any issues that may arise and make it my goal to make your child’s educational journey smooth, enjoyable, and successful.

I’ve been an employee of the Hamilton Health Sciences as a med lab tech for 50+ years. I have also been elected as school board trustee for 23 years. Over the years I’ve dedicated my time to students and parents in the community, attended any/all board meetings, sub-committee meetings, awards assemblies, and parent conferences.

In your view, what are the three most important issues currently facing students, parents, educators, and the school board, and how would you help address them?

3 most important issues are literacy and math programs, increased technology programs in education , supporting mental health and special education.

A trustee's role is one of governance rather than day-to-day management. How do you see the relationship between trustees, board administration, and school principals?

We must continue our relationships with school board officials, principals, and teachers. We need to all work together for the betterment and success of our students.

What changes or improvements, if any, would you like to see in the delivery of education within our local school system over the next four years?

Changes/improvements - I would like to lobby the government for changes in their delivery of education in our school system.

Also, I would like to further explore the decision made by the ministry for high school absenteeism. For example, Mr Calandra is coming down on absenteeism in High Schools. His idea seems too punitive for students with explained absenteeism due to extra-curricular activities. While I agree, we need to encourage attendance, we also need to foster the development of their skills and separate them from those who have unexplained absenteeism.

It is imperative that we as a board need to draft a response to the ministry when a policy may not be in the best interest of the students.

Why should voters place their trust in you? What qualities, experience, or perspective would you bring to the role of School Board Trustee that distinguish you from the other candidates?

Voters should place their trust in me based on my years of experience being a trustee. I am a trusted community member who listens to all voices. I always make myself available for parents and school board commitments. I enjoy learning more about curriculum implementation and supporting the need for newly built schools, and refurbishments. I’ve sat on numerous committees over the years. 

I bring with me knowledge from the past 20 years and use that to help plan for our student’s future and support parents on their child’s educational journey. Additionally, I want to maintain our Catholic faith and values. Encouraging the church, school, and parish relationship. For example, encouraging more parish visits to schools to assist in fostering this relationship.

What would you like parents, students and the broader public to know about the role of a Trustee?

The role of trustee is to be an advocate for the constituents. If any concerns may arise I can be your voice by continuing to ask questions at board meetings and sub-committee meetings.

How can voters contact you and/or learn more about you?

Mary Nardini 905 664 6336
Fnardini@cogeco.ca
nardinim@hwcdsb.ca

Thank-you Mary for engaging with Hamiltonians on The Hamiltonian!

Would you like to see the Before the Ballot- School Trustee's Edition series thus far? Click here.