Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Prince George election 2018: If elected to school board, Trent Derrick plans to be approachable, accountable and adaptable

Voters head to the polls Oct. 2
TrentDerrick
Trent Derrick. (Submitted)

On Oct. 20, Prince George residents will pick one mayor, eight councillors and five school trustees. The ballot will have two mayoral candidates, 13 councillor candidates and 11 school trustee candidates. There are also 15 candidates running in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

PrinceGeorgeMatters has sent out a list of questions to those vying for a seat in public office.

Name: Trent Derrick

Running for: School trustee

Age: 43

Number of years lived in Prince George: 25

Current neighbourhood: VLA

Occupation: Small business owner

Reason community would recognize your name: I make high-quality chocolate at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I have coached baseball for 10 years. I sit on numerous boards, volunteer and donate to numerous charities throughout the community, and I was a candidate in the last federal election.

What is the most important issue facing the school district, and how do you propose to deal with it?

I believe that proper access to all supports and services for all students needs to be addressed. In a strong and well supported public school system, no child should be left behind due to a lack of resources or lack of sufficient support staff. My strength is the ability to bring stakeholders together in the community and empower them to come up with creative, inclusive and efficient ideas to meet the many challenges that the education system faces today. As a school trustee, it is important to be approachable, accountable and adaptable to make well-informed decisions so that the taxpayers are getting the best bang for their dollar.

What is your specific reason for running?

I am passionate about a well supported public education system that is safe and inclusive. I believe that a strong public education system builds a strong community by allowing everyone to become productive members of society. When done well, public education is key for developing a strong community, a strong economy and a strong Canadian culture.

Where can the school board spend less?

A better question is how can the school board spend more effectively? As a business owner, I know that you get what you pay for so cutting cost is not always the most effective way to do business. I continually need to research and implement new strategies that will make my business efficient and effective in an ever-changing market. As a school board trustee, I will be committed to finding the latest techniques, equipment and supports so that the tax payer is getting a public education that is safe, inclusive and well supported. Money spent well is what I believe in.

Where should the school board be investing more?

We need to invest more in innovation. Innovation that will make School District 57 a leader in education throughout the province.

Next time you’re walking in the woods and you come face-to-face with a Sasquatch, what do you do?

Probably do what any informed outdoor enthusiast would do. Observe, don’t make any sudden movements, take pictures if safe and reasonable to do so. Back away slowly and when safe to do. Instagram it and then contact Todd Standing the Sasquatch Hunter that he was correct that the Sasquatch does exist.

If the next school board does something film-worthy, who would play you in the film?

Taylor Lautner. My family says a younger me and him look a lot alike.

Complete the sentence...

When I’m not at home or at work, you can find me: I can be found researching something so that is why I enjoy volunteering and sitting on boards. I love to read, learn and write which is one of my strengths that I will bring to the school board.

The most random, yet interesting fact about me is: I am a former youth pastor

My favourite beverage is: Root Beer

For Christmas/Hanukkah/the gift-giving season, I would like:...books on philosophy, psychology or politics. I am a passionate reader.

The best park in/near to Prince George is: Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park

If Prince George didn’t exist, I’d be living in: Gitanyow, which is part of the Gitxsan Nation and my heritage.

When I need some pump-up music, I listen to: Uptown Funk