Rocky View Schools (RVS) Ward 6, Trustee, Fiona Gilbert is seeking re-election this October.

This was Gilbert's first term as RVS trustee and says the last four years have been a tremendous learning experience.

"Parts of the role of trustee have been what I expected, parts definitely not. Education within the Province of Alberta has changed quite a bit over the last four years, Alison Redford was Premier when we were elected into this term, so there has been lots of adjustments. We have gone through three Premiers, I believe, three Education Ministers, and now we are learning how this new NDP government is running things."

On top of adjusting to change at the Provincial level, the Rocky View School District continues to see unbelievable growth. "On average 5% a year, for Rocky View that's averaging a thousand kids coming into our school division." With such incredible growth comes new schools and boundary changes, shares Gilbert. "In my term we have opened two new schools (or about to), and that goes along way to accommodate some of the growth pressures in our schools."

Over the next four years, Gilbert predicts Cochrane could see another K-8/9 school announced and plans for a new high school in the works. Gilbert will continue to personally focus on supporting parents as they transition schools. "We do have kids in this community that have been bumped from school to school to school, and unfortunately I do see that continuing a little bit over the next little while as we continue to welcome 300 plus kids to our community each year."

On top of helping with transition, Gilbert, will focus in on healthy minds and healthy bodies. "Health and wellness is talked about a lot and the supports in our school to help the kids and families struggling. Mental health, physical activity, and health in general for kids in our school would be a focus of mine in the future."

Looking forward, Gilbert, feels she is a good candidate and will offer experience to a board that is going to see a lot of change. Three trustees out of 7 have already shared they are not seeking re-election. "There will be at least a minimum of four new trustees on a board of eight. I think we need to ensure there is some continuation of leadership. The three trustees stepping down, if we add up their years of service it is over 35 years between those three trustees so we need some experience on the board moving forward as education continues to change. There is debates around the province about the value a publicly elected school board trustee brings to the people of Alberta and that's an important conversation and I would like to continue that conversation."