Wilbur Turner is a parent, student advocate, and experienced public educator. He has volunteered on two successful local school trustee election campaigns and has been a guest lecturer at UBC Okanagan for the past 13 years. Wilbur holds an honorary Doctor of Laws from UBC Okanagan and a humanitarian award, both in recognition of his community contribution. He is the founder and president of a national charity and has served on multiple nonprofit boards in the Central Okanagan and beyond, including the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and Okanagan Housing Cooperative.
What Turner said at the Rogers tv panel. Each summary was written by AI and checked by a person. The quote under it is exact, and the link opens the video at that moment.
Asked And with that, we'll start with introductions. To the candidates, as a reminder, you have two minutes to present your introduction.
Summary Wilbur Turner says schools need to be safe for both students and staff. Turner also wants to close gaps in academic results. Turner says leaving school after grade 11 was largely because of bullying.
one of the reasons I'm running is because I really believe that we need safe schools. We need safe schools for students. We also need safe schools for staff.
Asked What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing students and schools in Lake Country? And what are your ideas to address it?
Summary Wilbur Turner says provincial funding is the biggest challenge, affecting class size, supports, results and community growth. Turner says per student funding has not kept up since 2002. Turner wants the board to push the province for more money through the BC Trustees Association.
we need a strong voice on the board to advocate through the BC Trustees Association to the provincial government for stronger funding
Asked For the two school district trustees, Sean, what do you believe the school district should prioritize when deciding how to spend its budget?
Summary Wilbur Turner says the budget should focus on the ratio of administration to front-line staff. Turner wants more money and respect for teachers and EAs, so classrooms are not crowded. Turner also says the district must push the provincial government for the funding it needs.
I think there needs to be more allocation and respect put to the front line. EAs, teachers, make sure that those resources are there and that we don't have crowded classrooms.
Asked For the school district trustees, Wilbur, what do you believe the school district should prioritize when deciding how to spend its budget?
Summary Wilbur Turner says the budget should fund front line staff properly and avoid a heavy administration. Turner would look at whether administration staffing costs are too high and move money to the front lines. Turner wants capital money spent where needed, on class sizes and supports, with student needs first.
something I would be looking at is to ensure that the administration staffing budget is not heavy and that the money should be going toward the front lines
Asked For our school district trustees, Sean is up first. What is one change you would like to see implemented in School District 23 during your term if you are elected as a trustee?
Summary Wilbur Turner says math and literacy results in grades 7 and 10 are below the provincial average. Turner wants the district to look into why, so students graduate with proper results. Turner also wants students to have more say and learn real-life skills, like budgeting and using AI properly.
I really want the district to focus on those kind of things that are meaningful when it comes to having graduates turn out with the skills that they need to participate fully in life.
I believe every child deserves a strong public school system that sets them up to thrive, and that parents and community members deserve a trustee who listens, shows up, and advocates on their behalf.
Too often, Lake Country hasn't had real competition in these elections for school trustee. Residents deserve a real choice, and I have the qualifications and experience to fulfill the role's mandate and provide needed choice.
Asked Lake Country continues to experience population growth. How would you advocate for school capacity, facilities and infrastructure to keep pace with current and future enrolment?
I'd make sure enrolment projections look closely at where families are actually moving. I'd work with the District of Lake Country and the Regional District to track housing and development plans, so school needs are identified early.
Asked What steps should SD23 take to ensure students are achieving strong outcomes in core areas such as literacy, mathematics, science and technology?
Early intervention matters most, especially in reading in the primary grades. Strong outcomes also depend on the people in the classroom. When education assistants and learning support roles get cut, students who need extra help fall behind.
Asked How would you support skilled trades, technology, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and other career-focused programs that better prepare students for employment after graduation?
I'd support expanding dual credit options with Okanagan College and the youth apprenticeship programs offered through SkilledTradesBC, so students can earn credentials while still in high school.
Asked What are the three most important priorities you would pursue as School Trustee for Lake Country over the next four years?
My first priority is fair funding. BC's per-pupil formula has barely changed since 2002 and hasn't kept up with rising costs, so I'll push the province to fix it, including through the BC School Trustees Association.
Asked How would you balance the need for new programs and services with responsible management of the School District's budget and taxpayer-funded resources?
Core services come first: classroom teaching, education assistants, counsellors, and supports that follow students' needs. Any new program should come with a costed plan, a clear goal, and a way to measure whether it's working.
I will scrutinize the district's budget closely, prioritize spending that directly benefits students and classrooms, and advocate for transparency in how education funding is allocated and reported to the public.
Asked What actions would you support to improve student safety, well-being and the learning environment in Lake Country schools?
Teachers and education assistants are reporting safety incidents in classrooms, and the board needs to treat that as a priority. That means clear reporting, real support for staff, and investment in prevention, including counsellors and mental health supports for students.
Asked What actions would you support to improve student safety, well-being and the learning environment in Lake Country schools?
I presented to the SD23 board on research from the UBC School of Nursing showing that inclusive supports like SOGI 123 reduce bullying and improve mental health for all students, including 2SLGBTQIA+ students.
Asked What would you do to improve communication, transparency and meaningful engagement between the School Board, parents, students, educators and the wider Lake Country community?
I want budget information and the reasoning behind board decisions presented in plain language so parents and students can follow them. Engagement should happen before decisions are made, while there's still time for people's input to shape the outcome.
Asked How would you ensure that the specific needs and concerns of Lake Country students, parents, educators and schools are effectively represented when decisions are made by the broader SD23 Board?
I'll stay connected with our schools, parent advisory councils, and the student council, so I hear concerns directly and early.
I will ensure COPAC's advisory input is heard and taken seriously by the board, attend meetings consistently, and act as a reliable point of contact between parents and the board on matters that affect their children's education.
