Meet the Candidates: Creston South Rural School Board Election

As part of an ongoing series, Media49 is inviting candidates running in the upcoming Creston South Rural School Board election to share, in their own words, why they are running. The following letter was submitted by Cody Beebe

Cody Beebe

9/18/20262 min read

Why I Am Running for Creston South Rural School Board Trustee—Cody Beebe

I am running for Creston South Rural School Board Trustee because I believe our students, families, and school staff deserve a stronger voice at the table. Our education system should be focused first and foremost on helping every student succeed, while making sure teachers, support staff, and families have the resources and services they need to do their part. I am not running because I believe the system is perfect. I am running because I have seen where the gaps are, and I believe we can do better. I have three children who were born and raised here in Creston, and all three have gone through our public education system. One of my children is still in high school, while my other two have gone on to higher learning. As a parent who has watched my children move through different stages of education, I have seen both the strengths of our schools and the areas where students and families can fall through the cracks. That experience matters. I know what it is like to navigate the education system as a parent. I know that every student is different, and that one approach does not work for everyone.

Education for all students means making sure that students who are struggling academically, dealing with social or emotional challenges, living with disabilities, or simply learning in a different way have access to the support they need. We need more boots on the ground. That means practical, front-line support in our schools. It means looking at whether students have enough access to counsellors, educational assistants, learning support, mental-health resources, and other services. It also means recognizing that staff need support. Teachers and school employees cannot be expected to continually do more with fewer resources while carrying the growing challenges that come through our school doors. When our students succeed, our whole community succeeds. I also believe it is time to talk seriously about reclaiming board power. A school board trustee is elected to represent the community and provide meaningful oversight and direction. Trustees need to be willing to ask difficult questions, listen to parents and staff, examine how decisions affect students, and make sure local voices are actually being heard. Reclaiming board power does not mean creating conflict for the sake of conflict. It means remembering who the board ultimately works for: the students and communities it serves.

As a trustee, I would work to bring the focus back to the basics: strong education, responsible use of public money, accountability, student services, and support for the people working directly with our children every day. Our rural communities deserve to have their unique needs recognized. We need trustees who understand that decisions made around a boardroom table can have very real consequences in classrooms, hallways, and homes. I am running because I care about the future of our children and the future of education in Creston. I have raised my family here. I have watched my children experience our public education system firsthand. I have seen what works, and I have seen where gaps need to be fixed. Now I want to bring that experience, common sense, and a strong community voice to the school board. Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. Every staff member deserves the support to do their job well and every parent deserves to know that their elected school trustees are listening. That is the kind of school board I want to help build.

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