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Most trustee candidates mum from both French boards

Guy Belcourt, Saveria Caruso and Eric Lapointe are running for the French public board; Ryan Malenfant and Claire Thibideau are running for the French separate board
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Of the five candidates in the running for two French board trustee positions in the upcoming municipal election, only two returned requests for comment from BarrieToday.

BarrieToday recently asked the candidates running for trustee positions with both French boards (public and separate) for their thoughts leading into the election and to introduce themselves to residents who may be new to the area.

Three candidates are running for the French Public School Board Trustee position (Counseil scolaire Viamonde) where one trustee will be elected representing the counties of Bruce, Grey, Simcoe and Dufferin. They are Guy Belcourt, Saveria Caruso and Eric Lapointe.

Guy Belcourt

Incumbent Guy Belcourt was born and raised in Lafontaine, Ont. He was self-employed in farming and in the meat industry and his last position before retiring was as Harbourmaster for the town of Penetanguishene.

“I was first elected in 1994, and have the privilege of acting as trustee for public French-language education since then,” he says.

Belcourt first got involved in school board politics in the early 1980s when he fought for funding for a French-language secondary school in Penetanguishene.

“French-language education should be available to everyone anywhere there is a need,” says Belcourt, adding the board’s best attribute is its willingness to stick with French-as-a-first-language education.

Looking forward, Belcourt would like to see more collaboration.

“The public and Catholic boards must work more closely together on joint projects and schools to find waste and offer better and more efficient services,” he says.

Belcourt has concerns about the vast geographical area he has to cover, as the position is responsible to cover four counties: Simcoe, Dufferin, Grey and Bruce.

“The distances are great and it is very difficult to meet and touch base with all parents and students,” he says.

Lastly, Belcourt takes a hard stance on development taxes.

“Schools are funded by the province. Some school boards are discussing imposing development taxes to municipalities,” he says. “I am not in favour of it.”

Saveria Caruso

Saveria Caruso has been a school principal for 20 years, the last five in a French public board.

“I have always felt a sense of mission for the French-language school mandate, been interested in the transmission and appropriation of the French-language culture, and the importance of bilingualism and its contribution to student success,” says Caruso.

Caruso says she’s interested most in research findings on teaching strategies, integration of culture into schools and inclusive programs, all of which she’d like to bring to the position should she be elected.

“As a school board trustee, I would continue to strive for students’ success, inclusive learning communities and partnerships in the French-language schools of Conseil scolaire Viamonde,” she says.

Caruso’s dream for local schools includes making things easier for diverse learners while teaching autonomy and identity building.

“I will continue to strive for students’ success, inclusive learning communities and partnerships in the French-language schools of Conseil scolaire Viamonde,” she says.

Eric Lapointe

Eric Lapointe did not respond to multiple interview requests from BarrieToday.

 

Two candidates are running for the French Separate School Board Trustee position (Mon Avenir scolaire catholique) where one trustee will be elected representing the region of Simcoe-Muskoka.

Neither Ryan Malenfant nor Claire Thibideau responded to multiple interview requests from BarrieToday.


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Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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