James Vorobej would like to see the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) get “back to basics” on education priorities.
The Rockland resident has decided to put his name on the ballot for the area trustee’s seat on the UCDSB in this October’s municipal elections. His main priority is a “back to basics” approach for the UCDSB that focuses on the education needs of students.
“I’m against any of the school boards pushing ideologies,” said Vorobej, during a phone interview, indicating that schools should concentrate on ensuring students have the education they need for their future career goals.
He cites the current discussions, arguments, and controversy over sexual identity issues as part of the distractions than the UCDSB and other school boards now deal with when working on school curriculum planning and practice. School districts should focus more attention, he noted, on student learning and less on issues that create distractions to classroom work.
“Make no mistake, it doesn’t matter who you are,” said Vorobej. “Every student has a right to an education, but not a right to be a distraction.”
Vorobej cited social media as another distraction for students during their classroom and study times that school districts need to address.
Vorobej noted that he has always had an interest in education issues, including support services that improve the ability of students to focus on their studies and learn. One such service that he would like to see maintained as a regular part of any school operation is the school breakfast program.
“I’m a great proponent of the school breakfast program,” he said, adding that he would like to see the annual UCDSB budget include a specific funding allocation to support such a program in every district school.
Vorobej cites his own experience as a student when he and some of his peers operated a volunteer-and-donation-driven school breakfast program at his local school. At one point their donation-supported program benefitted between 30 to 40 students each day who needed some guaranteed nourishment at the start of their school day.
“Students need to be focused, and you can’t do when you’re hungry,” he said.
