KIM DESSERRE profile

My husband, Wade, and I have four sons, all attending Our Lady of the Way School. We operate a farm near Pinewood.
I have a diploma in bookkeeping and have done bookkeeping for farm businesses, Ontario Early Years centres, and our church. I also have been a volunteer bookkeeper for agricultural groups.
I was involved with the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture. I also was on the Northwestern Ontario Steering Committee for the Ontario Early Years Challenge Fund and with Rainy River Playschool Inc.
I volunteer in our church as children’s liturgy teacher, and lector. Our family has been involved at Our Lady of the Way School since our first son started school in 1999.
I have volunteered for classroom and special activities, with the hot lunch program, and helped with music at school masses.
The major challenge facing the board in the next term will be the changed formula the province has used to fund education. The loss of grants for distant schools, and remote and rural schools, has had a negative impact on all board in Northern Ontario.
The present board has been working with other northern educators to keep the Ministry of Education aware of the challenges facing northern boards that operate small schools with large distances between communities.
This will continue to be the number-one issue for the foreseeable future.
Compounding the funding challenges is the declining population of our district, which means declining enrolment for our schools.
I believe Catholic education is about recognizing the uniqueness of each child and helping them develop their God-given gifts. It helps children develop a social conscience and to strive for the common good.
I am committed to helping the board overcome the challenges ahead. I want our schools to continue to be the place for our children to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually.