Rusnak makes a second run for school board

Brad Rusnak is making another bid for a seat on the Brandon School Division board of trustees, four years after an unsuccessful first campaign.

Rusnak, who ran in the 2022 municipal and school board election, said his motivation for returning to the race remains closely connected to his family.

“My main motivation since 2022 remains to advocate for two of our three children who live with visual impairment from ocular albinism,” he told the Sun.

Ocular albinism is a condition involving a lack of pigmentation development in the eyes.

He said he and his wife, April, have seen improvements in supports over the past four years and are thankful for the efforts made, but believe more can be done for students who require additional assistance.

Rusnak said his goal is not only to advocate for students with disabilities, but also to help educators better understand and respond to their needs.

“I want to advocate for the visually impaired student who gets placed in a soccer goal by an uninformed teacher, but I also want to advocate for that uninformed teacher at the same time,” he said.

“I also want to advocate for the student that requires an education assistant to attend shop class with their friends rather than having to stay behind. Inclusivity should not be optional.”

He said stronger communication between the division, families and educators could help prevent some of those challenges.

Beyond disability supports, Rusnak said classroom behaviour and the learning environment are among the issues that need attention.

“Teachers and educators need to have the support for more authority and control in their classrooms,” he said.

Rusnak said the division needs to improve how inappropriate behaviour is addressed while also working more closely with parents.

He also connected classroom management to broader questions about student-to-staff ratios and the need for more educational assistants.

“The recent announcement of higher salaries was welcoming, but without an improved working environment, salary alone does not retain employees or repair a damaged situation,” he said.

“We have to give our educators more attention and stronger environments to educate in.”

Rusnak said his experience in the 2022 campaign also shaped his approach to the upcoming election.

He is currently revisiting coursework in payroll as a refresher to his previous human resources training. He said that education has reinforced for him the importance of identifying and listening to stakeholders.

“I encourage Brandon’s collective community to be involved in this year’s election process,” Rusnak said.

“It’s important to hear everyone and take in the many concerns and questions so we can act appropriately as elected board members.”

Rusnak said the current board has handled a number of situations well, and if elected he would like to build on that work while bringing a different perspective and stronger communication to the table.

He points to his professional, family and volunteer experience as qualities he would bring to the board.

Rusnak has worked in the automotive industry for about 15 years and is currently the autobody manager at Fowler Hyundai. He graduated from Red River College in 2008 with studies in human resource management and management development.

He said his professional career has included helping businesses significantly improve their financial performance.

He also brings extensive volunteer experience, including serving as secretary and president of the Westman 5-Pin Bowlers Association board and as website chair for two years with the Manitoba 5 Pin Associations Board.

Rusnak moved to Westman in 2008 after meeting his wife. The couple initially lived in Virden before moving to Brandon in 2011. He is originally from Thompson and grew up in Winnipeg.

Their three children attend Brandon schools. Their son Jake, 14, is entering Grade 9 at Neelin High School, while Ryan, 11, and Jessica, 9, are entering Grades 6 and 4 respectively at King George School.

For Rusnak, those experiences are at the heart of his decision to seek a trustee position again.

“My ultimate end goal is to let the families and educators in our school division know that I am here for them, especially those who deal with disability factors on a daily basis,” he said.

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