Armitage Advocates for Parental Voices in Brandon School Board Election

Laura Armitage, a candidate in the upcoming Brandon School Division trustee byelection on October 16, 2023, aims to amplify parental voices within the school board. With four children currently enrolled in the division, Armitage brings a personal perspective to the challenges families face in the educational system. She is one of seven candidates vying for a single trustee seat, alongside Shawna Mozdzen, Bonnie-Lynn Mills, Michael Grantham, Eren Oleson, Himanshu Shah, and Henry Sieklicki.

Armitage emphasizes the importance of having a trustee with firsthand experience of the current school environment. “I talk to parents, teachers, and students every day,” she stated. “I hear their concerns and see their struggles firsthand. That’s the kind of voice I want to bring to the board.” Her extensive involvement in the community, particularly as a long-serving member of École New Era School’s parent council, has kept her closely connected with both families and staff.

One of Armitage’s primary goals as a trustee is to improve the sustainability of school meal programs. Currently, many rely heavily on volunteer efforts, with some parents contributing as much as 40 hours a week to ensure that students receive proper meals. “That’s not sustainable,” she remarked. “We need the division to take a more active role so these programs don’t collapse.”

Armitage also identifies overcrowding in schools as a critical issue, particularly at the high school level. “There are classrooms with over 30 students and hallways where kids are shoulder-to-shoulder,” she noted. She advocates for the establishment of a fourth high school and additional elementary school capacity to accommodate the growing student population.

Support for teachers is another vital aspect of her platform. Armitage asserts that educators are facing increased demands without adequate resources. “We need to ensure they have the resources, support staff, and manageable class sizes so they can focus on teaching,” she said. Her commitment to teacher welfare underscores her belief that a well-supported staff directly benefits students.

On the topic of school safety, Armitage expressed approval of recent initiatives by the division, which included the formation of safety advisory committees after a safety incident earlier this year. She insists that ongoing communication with families is essential. “Parents want to know their children are safe, and they want to have a say in how safety is handled,” she explained. “I’ll keep listening to those voices.”

Balancing her campaign efforts with a retail job and family responsibilities has been a challenge for Armitage, who credits her support system for her ability to pursue this path. “My family has been incredible through this,” she said. “They know how much I care about schools, and they’ve been cheering me on every step.”

Having attended nearly every trustee meeting over the past two years, Armitage has gained insight into the decision-making processes of the board. She recognizes a common sentiment among families: that they often feel excluded from important discussions. “It can feel like families don’t always have a seat at the table,” she stated. “That’s what I want to change.”

Armitage’s candidacy is driven by a fundamental belief that the board needs trustees who are closely connected to the classrooms and families they serve. “I’m not a politician,” she said. “I’m a mom who wants to make sure our schools are doing the best they can for every student. That’s why I’m running — to bring that inside voice, the parent voice, to the board.”

As the byelection approaches, advance polls will be open on October 8 at city hall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on October 11 at the Keystone Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election day is set for October 16, with polls operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at various locations throughout the city. A complete list of voting sites is available at brandon.ca. The byelection was necessitated by the resignation of former trustee Blaine Foley in March. The next full school board election is scheduled for October 28, 2026, coinciding with municipal elections.