Laura Armitage Advocates for Parental Voice in School Board Election

In the lead-up to the October 16, 2023 byelection for the Brandon School Division trustee position, candidate Laura Armitage emphasizes the necessity of parental representation on the school board. Armitage, a dedicated community volunteer and mother of four, aims to ensure that families navigating the school system have their voices heard directly.

With extensive experience as a member of the École New Era School parent council, having served seven years as chair, Armitage believes her active involvement provides her with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by the division. “I think it’s really important to have a trustee who has students in the system today,” she stated, underscoring a connection that many current trustees lack.

Armitage is one of seven candidates competing for a single seat in the byelection, alongside candidates such as Shawna Mozdzen, Bonnie-Lynn Mills, Michael Grantham, Eren Oleson, Himanshu Shah, and Henry Sieklicki. Her platform focuses on various pressing issues, including the sustainability of school lunch programs, overcrowding in classrooms, and the support needed for teachers.

Addressing School Lunch Sustainability

One of Armitage’s primary concerns is the sustainability of lunch programming within the division. Many of these programs depend on volunteers, with parents contributing significant hours to ensure children receive meals during school. “Right now, volunteers are putting in 40 hours a week on top of their jobs just to make sure kids are fed at school,” she explained. “That’s not sustainable. We need the division to take a more active role so these programs don’t collapse.”

Armitage also highlighted overcrowding in schools as an urgent issue. She noted that high school classrooms often contain over 30 students, creating a challenging learning environment. “Teachers need smaller class sizes, and students need more space to learn effectively,” she stated. She advocates for the construction of a fourth high school and additional elementary school capacity to accommodate the growing student population.

Support for Teachers and School Safety

In her campaign, Armitage emphasizes the importance of supporting teachers and staff. “Teachers are being asked to do more with less, and that’s not fair,” she remarked. “We need to make sure they have the resources, support staff, and manageable class sizes so they can focus on teaching, not just surviving.”

On the topic of school safety, Armitage expressed her support for recent initiatives undertaken by the division, including the establishment of safety advisory committees following a significant incident earlier this year. She believes that maintaining open communication with families is critical. “Parents want to know their children are safe, and they want to have a say in how safety is handled,” she said. “I’ll keep listening to those voices.”

Campaigning while balancing a retail job and family life has been a challenge for Armitage. She credits her friends, colleagues, and especially her children for motivating her to pursue this role. “My family has been incredible through this,” she shared. “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 decision-making processes and the disconnect some parents feel from those decisions. “It can feel like families don’t always have a seat at the table,” she stated. “That’s what I want to change. I want parents to feel like their concerns are not just heard, but acted on.”

Ultimately, Armitage describes her candidacy as a commitment to bringing the parental voice into the boardroom. “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 to the board.”

Advance polls for the byelection 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 polling locations available throughout the city from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A full list of voting sites can be found at brandon.ca. This byelection was necessitated by the resignation of Blaine Foley in March. The next general election for the school board is scheduled for October 28, 2026, coinciding with municipal elections.