Provide More Support for Special Needs Students - An issue that is often not very seen is the need for more support for special needs students. Often a single support staff will work with multiple students with different needs and abilities at the same time. Moving forward, the School District must better support those students with a lack of support, while still working with their parents/guardians to determine a education plan and goals.

Better Prepare Students for the Job Market and Post Secondary - Students can go many different places after they leave the public education system. Schools must better prepare youth with the skills and knowledge needed moving forward. Everyone is going to need to get a job and it is important that students are better taught resume and interview skills. It is crucial especially now since youth unemployment is up 57% over the last 3 years. Students going into post secondary must be better taught academic writing, what university and professors are looking for, and how to write a quality application for a scholarship, job, post secondary entrance, etc.

Have a Fiscally Responsible Budget - The School District will be facing a $4.2 million budget shortfall in the 2026/2027 year due to 375 individual less enrollments and provincial spending cuts. The Central Okanagan School District and Trustees must take a needs first based approach to ensure students and education comes first. The School Board has finite resources and is not able to spend beyond it’s means. Therefore, decisions must be made to ensure that all of the budget is used appropriately.

Provide Adequate and Responsible Busing Service - Not all parents and guardians can drive their kid to school, public transportation isn’t always available or safe, or the school is not walking distance from the home. Therefore, the school district must have a school busing system for students in need or in areas of need that arrives to school on time. We cannot rely on the city bus, which already has strain due to the amount of users and is not looking to expand.

Open Transparency with Parents - Nobody loves their kid more than the parents. It is their right to know what is going on inside of the classroom and to have any of their questions answered. Schools and Trustees must answer to parents when asked. In major policy changes/decisions, parents, guardians, students, and teachers must all be consulted. Samuel Robson is committed to answering text, calls, and emails from parents, constituents, taxpayers, teachers, and students because a West Kelowna School Board Trustee must work for you and answer to you.

Solid Pathway for Future Trade Students/Workers - There must be a clear and accessible pathway for students interested in the trades, especially with the current and future need for trade students. The Central Okanagan School Board must further work post secondary institutes to give students clear contact information and present trade programs for students. For example, the Central Okanagan School Board should work further with Okanagan College to gain more seats for the dual credit program, so that more students can get their first year trade ticket in their grade 12 year.

Reasonable Class Sizes - It is better for the students education for class sizes to be reasonable. When a class size gets too large, the teacher’s time often gets too spread out for all students questions to be answered, the teacher isn’t as able to address individual students needs or issues, and can actually cost the school district more money if a support staff is needed due to a too large class size. Reasonable class sizes that are still financially viable is the best course forward. This is because teachers are able to address individual students needs, it is still affordable for the school district, and students get to communicate with different students than usually.

Student Safety - Students must be safe at school. Aggressors must be reasonably punished. Whenever an altercation, targeted bully, or a problem arises parents/guardians of all student involved must be contacted. Students who are being targeted must be looked out for by their teachers and school administration, so that there is no harm done and so that student can continue to grow, learn, and be encouraged. When online bullying becomes present, school administration must contact the RCMP, due to the school not having any legal authority unless school accounts or equipment is used.

Teach Taxes and Financial Literacy - In the current curriculum, no part mandates that students should be taught about taxes. Students before they graduate should be taught about income and sales taxes in their Careers Class. We must also further the curriculum on the job market, resume skills, interview skills, and finances.

Teach Students about Healthy Eating and Lifestyles - In students physical education class, they should be taught about how to eat healthy, what unhealthy eating does to their body and brains, how to live an individually healthy lifestyle, and common health risk. Students shouldn’t be shamed, but must know the negative effects of an unhealthy lifestyle and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, which should encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Overcrowding in Schools - Most schools in West Kelowna are at capacity or over capacity. Our students need space to grow, learn, and stretch their legs. Portables come with additional problems like breaking heating and AC units. As a School Board Trustee, Samuel Robson will be a strong advocate for constructing additions to current West Kelowna Schools.