Jodi Cameron

Oct 15, 2014

Algonguin Lakeshore Catholic School Board Trustee

Jodi Cameron – ensuring rural success

Jodi Cameron is running for trustee of the Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic School Board as an extension of her enthusiastic commitment to the St. Patrick’s School Parent Council, which she has been a member of for several years.

She has a daughter at St. Pat's and a son who is now in his first year at Regiopolis High School in Kingston,

“I joined the parent council to advocate for my kids, and it turns out to be one of the best things I have ever done,” she said.

She has been the treasurer for the Council for three years, a position she dropped when she put her name in for trustee this September. Although she joined the race for trustee near the deadline date for nominations, the decision came about after a summer of reflection.

Cameron works in Kingston for a heraldry company that produces coats of arms and other products, and since her children are now older she felt it was time to take the step of running for trustee

As the parent of a child who needed technological help in school because of dyslexia, she feels that as a matter of fairness rural schools need the same equipment and Internet access as urban schools. She sees the trustee as having a role in ensuring that those resources remain in place in the future.

“The fair distribution of resources is always an issue, whether it is smart boards or teacher student-ratio,” she said, “and as well there is a priority for me to see that the Catholic education system continues to be supported in Ontario,” she said.

Another issue that she sees as becoming more relevant is busing. The ALDCSB is a partner in Tri-board busing and as such is connected to the dispute between Tri-board and its local bus contractors who have taken it to court to block a new hiring process.

“Independent operators are small business people in our community. They’re our neighbours and are parents themselves. I’m not in favour of a policy that puts them at a disadvantage,” she said.