Jenn Comazzetto (Vernon + Areas B & C)
2026 Election Candidate
What measurable outcomes would define success for you after one term?
Our Framework for Enhancing Student Learning report tracks our educational outcomes such as literacy & numeracy during primary learning, reducing achievement gaps in particular categories, lowering absenteeism, and increasing graduation rates & post-secondary placement. In addition, our responsibility to the budget is not to be overlooked. Meeting our targets for our contingency reserve (which is going quite well) is something measurable that we can be held accountable on.
What do you see as the top three challenges currently facing the school district?
The challenges brought on by our continuously online culture such as the use of AI, shortening of attention spans, and a degradation of critical thinking and media literacy is quite apparent. In regard to financial stewardship, ensuring we have funds enough to allocate to areas such as staffing and infrastructure is always at the forefront. But ultimately our students' sense of belonging & outcomes are paramount if we want a robust and thriving future for our community.
What are your top priorities for improving student achievement?
I agree with our FESL's (as mentioned earlier) evaluation. It addresses areas such as early childhood reading/writing & arithmetic, our work with indigenous & vulnerable learners, as well as ensuring logistics such as staff & facilities are supported & supportive.
What are your priorities for school facilities (e.g., aging infrastructure, overcrowding, environmental upgrades)?
Allocating funding to areas where we will see a return on those investments end up allowing for our finances to address areas of concern such as overcrowding. For example, my initiative to transfer our diesel fleet to electric buses will end up saving us millions which can then be reinvested. Continuing in this regard with our non-bus vehicles seems prudent and has ample support.
How would you like to see climate action prioritized at the governance level so that it guides decisions around infrastructure, operations, and student learning?
It's a wise economic decision. It's much less costly to have sustainable infrastructure. I've taken heart that students have been inspired & inspiring as this challenge is undertaken. We've recently won a provincial award for our C.A.R.E. program in this regard. Ultimately stewardship of the district's operations must efficiently result in stable & robust student outcomes. I've been emboldened that this contributes to that.
How will you monitor and improve progress toward safe, caring, and inclusive schools?
Our FESL, Student Learning Survey, and How Are We Doing report from the Ministry inform us about such specifics. Keeping an ear to the ground in our community by listening to our unions and other such stakeholder groups can round out our perspective. Being guided by their recommendations is key & core to making progress in these areas.
What specific actions would you prioritize to support Indigenous student success and reconciliation?
The dedicated work of the OKIB and the district's Indigenous Education Department has helped us develop one of the province's first local education agreement (referred to as LEA). We've also recently put in place the kʷu ck̓ʷul̓x Enhancement Agreement with OKIB that we're quite proud of. The work laid out by these resources in conjunction with the diligent skill of our staff looks to have paved an optimistic path forward.
How would you handle controversial issues and/or competing interests?
Balanced management, institutional stewardship, and other such responsibilities of being a trustee require skillsets for good governance the same as any worker would require tools for the tasks they are assigned. Soft skills such as communications, conflict resolution, cooperation, and navigating bureaucracy contribute to the pillars upholding our institutions operations such as: accountability, respectful engagement, & a focus on data driven outcomes.
How will you engage meaningfully with parents, caregivers, and the broader community?
I feel that I can empathize with our workers as I am employed full-time myself. I feel that I can empathize with our caregivers as I am a parent of a student. It's been my honor to represent the constituents of our community as a trustee for two terms now. Engaging my broad social circle and the general citizenry is rounded out by listening to individuals and groups through my office as a board member. I measure my success in how well I represent your interests in regards to our school district. I'm only able to undertake this job by staying grounded & accountable. Thank you.
