Calgary Catholic School District byelection candidate Chantelle Dur said she wants a school board that prioritizes students’ needs while also ensuring schools are strongholds of faith.
Dur, a candidate for Wards 11 and 12, worked at St. Mary’s University’s admissions department after finishing her history degree. She has also volunteered her time for school councils and Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education, which helps address the needs and concerns of Catholic school communities.
Dur said her track record at various organizations and her personal experiences have solidified her commitment to Catholic education in Calgary.
“I am committed to fostering an environment that prioritizes the needs of students, respects the voices of parents, and supports our dedicated teachers. My goal is to ensure that our Catholic schools remain strongholds of faith, academic excellence, and community for generations to come,” she said in an email to LiveWire Calgary. Due to scheduling conflicts, Dur was given two days to respond to LWC’s questions via email.
Dur, who is a mother of four children attending CCSD schools, said her priorities are the students, parents and teachers. She added that the Catholic school system must remain “strongholds” of faith, academic excellence and community for many generations.
“What sets me apart from other candidates is my unwavering emphasis on authentic Catholicity. Catholic education is defined by its faith—it is what gives our schools their identity and meaning. There’s no need to chase after secular ideologies when we already stand on a foundation that has held firm for centuries: the teachings of our Faith,” she wrote in her email.
“If we lose the integrity of what makes Catholic education distinct, then what exactly are we fighting for? I am committed to ensuring that our Catholic schools remain places where faith and academic excellence thrive together, preserving the integrity and purpose of this mission for future generations.”
CCSD’s pressing issues
Budgetary concerns are a big overarching issue for many CCSD schools. While the district ended the 2023-2024 fiscal year with a $8.4 million surplus (a $17 million deficit was originally budgeted), the extra money was largely due to additional provincial funding during the year and higher revenue from investment income and selling property.
Dur said the CCSD must advocate for increased funding from the province but the CCSD must also be “responsible stewards” of the money it already has.
“This involves prioritizing spending that directly benefits students and exploring innovative solutions to make our budget work more effectively for schools, teachers, and students. Through responsible financial management, we can address many of the challenges while maintaining a high standard of education,” she wrote in her email.
Dur also said she will collaborate with administration, teachers and parents to develop “practical and creative solutions” to capacity challenges. Around 30 Catholic schools in Calgary had a utilization rate of 100 per cent or higher in October 2024, and around 63,519 students were enrolled as of Sept. 27, 2024 (a three per cent increase year-over-year).
“This includes advocating for the construction of new schools where needed, optimizing the use of existing facilities, and ensuring that resources are distributed equitably. My priority is to maintain classrooms where students receive the attention and support they need to thrive,” she said.
Indigenous Education
Indigenous Education is one of four pillars and priorities of the CCSD Board of Trustees. In September, the CCSD pledged to empower Indigenous youth in their schools ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This includes having an Indigenous Education Team made up of four Indigenous teacher consultants and five cultural liaisons from different cultural backgrounds Dene, Cherokee, Stoney Nakoda, Piikani and Cree.
Dur said the CCSD should focus on “what brings [people] all together,” which are strong schools rooted in the Catholic faith and academic excellence where every student can thrive.
Dur, who is a First Nations woman with Tsuut’ina and Red River Métis heritage, said Truth and Reconciliation runs the risk of virtue signalling rather than fostering genuine unity.
“Scripted land acknowledgments and endless calls to action do little to address the real needs of our students or build a stronger future,” she said.
“Instead, we must focus on creating schools that uphold the values of our faith, recognizing the inherent dignity of every child as made in the image and likeness of God — schools where children from all backgrounds can come together in an environment of respect and shared purpose.”
The CCSD byelection is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance polls are scheduled for Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information about how and where to vote, please visit the Elections Calgary website.
