Longtime trustee ready for new role: Vision/COPE election landslide creates new dynamic at school board
Cheryl Rossi, Vancouver Courier
November 21, 2008

…..Vision's Sharon Gregson, who won her second term as a trustee, said Vision and COPE will work "very closely."

When asked whether any of the other Vision trustees elected had served as trustees in the past, she instead named the COPE trustees who have: Allan Wong, Al Blakey and Jane Bouey.

… She vowed those connected to schools will notice improved consultation, particularly when it comes to the second phase of the educational facilities review, and less classroom reorganization in September.

But will a Vision/COPE board scrap all school fees?

Gregson said Vision will review fees with the school community and parents and see what concerns need to be addressed.

She said she was recently able to improve the language around fees.

"One of the high schools said that if kids had not paid their fee for home economics, they could only taste what they cooked, they couldn't actually eat it. And if they made an apron, for example, they didn't get to keep it, they had to donate it to charity," she said. "And there were forms that were sent home that asked parents to explain their financial circumstances and have kids sign the same form."

Gregson said she'll push for policy change that will allow classroom space to be used for before- and after-school care for a school's own students. She also promised to lobby for capital funds for startup equipment and operating grants…..