Prince George, B.C. – A familiar face would like his Board seat back in District 57.

And Valentine Crawford, who served one term before failing in his bid for re-election in 2011, promises he’ll speak up for education.

Valentine Crawford

“It was frustrating to watch a Board not be vocal at all (during the strike). And to not be present during something so important that affects why they’re there and it’s to educate kids.”

He says the open letter the Board sent over the summer encouraging both the provincial government and the BCTF to negotiate a swift end to the teachers strike didn’t go far enough

“They could’ve done a lot more. They could’ve been active in the community. They’re politicians, they need to be engaging with the entire public and not just sending off a letter and calling it a day.”

Crawford says he’s also running to help effect change.

“I’m a policy guy. Educational policy is huge – there’s been no policy movement in the last three years to support and move education forward. I have a passion for it and that’s exactly why I decided to run.”

He says that includes getting rid of what he calls “archaic discipline” – things like suspensions and the like.

“I want to see restorative practices take over our district and to start really supporting and growing kids in their abilities to solve conflicts. It’s huge to keep kids in school and that’s one of the biggest things we can do as a district.”