Fallis seeks third term on Brandon school board

Brandon School Division trustee Kim Fallis is seeking a third term on the board in next month’s civic election.

There is still work to do to address overcrowding, aging infrastructure and funding pressures facing local schools, she told the Sun.

Students are increasingly using libraries, gyms and other available spaces because of a lack of room in schools, she said. While a new K-8 school is planned for the Brookwood area, along with an expansion of Maryland Park School, the division will still need additional capacity.

“I think our work’s not done,” Fallis said. “I still like to see us get another K to eight. But we need another high school because … high schools are already packed, and the division’s continued growth means more space will be needed for students and teachers.”

If re-elected, Fallis said funding and budgeting would be among the board’s priorities. She said the provincial government needs to reconsider its funding formula, saying the division has faced major cuts in recent years or had to consider increased taxes.

“We need to look at the budget and find ways that we can be proactive rather than reactive,” she said.

Aging school infrastructure is an area that requires attention, she said, adding that preventive maintenance, including replacing plumbing and repairing boilers before they fail, could help avoid more costly problems such as water damage.

During her eight years on the board, Fallis said she has focused on advocating for students and ensuring they are treated fairly and respectfully regardless of their background, beliefs or identity.

With school safety an ongoing concern, the division’s safety advisory group — which includes input from teachers, parents and students — can help identify safety needs, Fallis said.

Rather than relying solely on increased physical security, she said the division should continue strengthening its ability to identify students in crisis and connect them with appropriate supports.

Fallis, 69, said she would also continue to advocate for school lunch programs, saying parent councils should not have to carry the responsibility of finding funding for programs that support students during the school day.

She said her own experience as a single parent helped shape her understanding of the pressures facing families.

Fallis has lived in Brandon for more than 40 years, and both of her children attended Brandon School Division schools. She said advocating for students and parents remains one of the most important responsibilities of a trustee.

“I respectfully ask voters to support me,” she said, “so I continue to advocate on behalf of students, staff, teachers, the individuals that are within the BSD.”

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