1. Please provide a short biography. Why have you chosen to run for trustee?
My Name is Jeneal Vargo, and I am running for Public School Board Trustee. You should vote for me because of the knowledge, experience and passion that I have for making things better for the students, staff, families of the Public School District.
I have grown up going to school in Medicine Hat all my life. I attended Medicine Hat College and got my Educational Assistant Certificate. I have been employed in the school district for over 15 years. My experience as an Educational Assistant gives me the knowledge and skills to be a valuable member of the Board of Trustees. I know what it is like in the classrooms of many different schools through out the school district.
I am also a mother of two wonderful children. One of my children is autistic and I have worked to advocate for him. Advocating for him and many students like him has given me a chance to work with multiple therapists from the community. We helped these students develop the skills that they need to be successful in school and in life. With that experience came the decision to go back to school to get my Therapist Assistant Degree. I have learned a lot during this program that will be useful as a School Board Trustee.
I am passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. I would like your vote to show what I can offer to the Medicine Hat Public School District as their School Board Trustee.
2. What are your top three priorities for your division, and how would you work to meet those needs?
Programs, I want to look at programs that are being offered. Are they making a difference in the students lives? Is there a better program that could make a bigger difference? Can we expand that program to another school to make available to more students.
I would like to see extra support given to the specialized students in our district. They require suitable programming throughout the duration in the school district. This is a vulnerable population that requires a more focused scope to learning that is tailored to their individual needs and capabilities.
Develop connections with providers in the community to work together. So that we can use everyone’s unique knowledge to help educate and encourage growth in our district.
3. How would you aim to attract and retain students within your division?
The most important thing is the quality and flexibility of the education. You need to have the right programs that students will be interested in and use. I know there are already wonderful programs running like the athletic academies, drama and art, as well as the trades programs at the high schools. If we take a closer look and communicate with the students and their families, we will have the direction that we should align.
