Elizabeth Crowe seeks re-election to York Catholic board

April 15, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
A veteran school board representative wants to continue her work contributing to education in York.
Schomberg’s Elizabeth Crowe, who’s been board chair of the York Catholic District School Board for 16 years, is seeking re-election at the trustee for Aurora-King-Whitchurch Stouffville.
She believes this is her true vocation in life and even after serving on the board for two decades, Crowe is still enthusiastic about her role.
“I still have a passion and belief that every child can be successful. Every opportunity I get to help make the learning environment enriching, vibrant, safe and welcoming, whether it is by helping a family steer through the system or getting funding to build a new school or by approving a new program or initiative, I feel I have accomplished something important,” she said.
“As a Catholic, I believe that our system enriches Ontario’s educational system and our graduates are agents of change in a materialistic society.”
School boards need to constantly adapt to changing demographics, Ministry directives, advances in technology and new curriculum so as to ensure that students are well prepared for the challenges they will face when they graduate. Each term brings with it a new set of challenges.
In the coming term, Crowe outlined several goals. She would like to develop an IT strategy that is sustainable and equitable. She wants to implement a new “Religious Education curriculum,” recently endorsed by the Bishops of Ontario. Crowe also wants to look at expanding programming in high schools, such as French Immersion, High Performance Athlete Program, more specialist high skills majors, e-learning and iPad programs.
Crowe would like to implement a strong music program in the board’s elementary schools and work with school councils to make schools accountable, welcoming, and safe.
Due to the growth in the region, Crowe would like to get funding for a fourth elementary school and a high school in Stouffville.
Leveraging opportunities is important and Crowe hopes to develop partnerships and joint initiatives with the public board, all levels of government, hospitals and the business community.
Taxpayers can expect Crowe to be accountable and she vows to bring in balanced budgets that “put as much money as is possible into the classroom.”
“I will be a champion for Catholic education. I will also be reachable and approachable.”
A 25-year King resident, Crowe began her involvement by sitting on the school council. She was elected in 1994 and in 1998 she was chosen as chair by her fellow trustees, a post she’s proudly help for the past 16 years.
During this time, the board has grown from 69 schools to 103 schools.
“We have been consistently one of the top four boards in the province ever since EQAO testing started,” she said.