Lareina Dibben for EIPS Trustee
Student Success • Safe, Inclusive Schools • Transparent Decisions
I’m Lareina Dibben, and I’m running to be your Elk Island Public Schools Trustee for Fort Saskatchewan. I’m a parent, former teacher, and current school counsellor who has spent my career supporting children and families. I’ve seen firsthand how decisions made at the Board table reach into every classroom, and I believe those decisions should always keep students at the centre.
About Me
Fort Saskatchewan has been home to my family for years. My children attend EIPS schools, and I’ve worked with students across the Division as both a teacher and a counsellor. I also co-founded a local therapy clinic that supports children, teens, and families. These experiences keep me grounded in the daily realities facing our schools.
I’ve been on both sides of the desk—teaching lessons, sitting with parents who need answers, and listening to students who feel unseen. Those moments shape the way I see leadership: schools should be places where every child feels safe, supported, and able to learn at their best.
My Mission & Values
I believe schools thrive when students are at the heart of every decision. Strong schools create strong communities.
The values that guide me are simple:
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Integrity: Say what you mean, follow through, and be accountable.
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Compassion: Lead with care for every student and family.
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Courage: Ask hard questions and stand firm when it counts.
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Community: Decisions should reflect the voices of the people they serve.
What Matters Most
At the end of the day, school board decisions aren’t about policies or paperwork—they’re about kids. Every student deserves to feel safe walking into class, to be supported when they struggle, and to be challenged when they’re ready to grow. Parents deserve open, honest communication about how decisions affect their children. Teachers and staff deserve the resources and respect they need to do their jobs well.
For me, “what matters most” is simple: putting students at the centre of every decision, supporting the people who guide them, and making sure families feel heard. When schools thrive, our whole community benefits.
Issues
Student Success
Funny thing—when you sit in a classroom long enough (on both sides of the desk), you realize it’s the smallest decisions that ripple the farthest. A child who’s tested early, for example, avoids years of “catching up.” A parent who’s told the truth about their kid’s struggles doesn’t feel left in the dark, and that changes everything at home too.
Now, I’m not pretending I’ve got some magic wand—teaching, counselling, parenting, it’s messy. But I’ve seen again and again how early literacy checks, math supports that aren’t cookie-cutter, and plain old human encouragement can mean the difference between a kid coasting through or completely shutting down.
So yes, if I’m sitting at that Board table, the question running through my head (probably more than is polite) will be: “Is this decision really in the best interest of our students, or are we just ticking boxes?” Because if it’s the latter, I’m not interested.
Safe & Inclusive Schools
It’s not enough to say schools should be “safe.” Everyone says that. But what does it actually look like? For me, it’s a student walking into class without that knot in their stomach, knowing they won’t be singled out or ignored. It’s teachers having tools—real, usable supports—to spot when a kid is sliding into anxiety or isolation, instead of chalking it up to “just a phase.”
I’ve seen the toll bullying and exclusion take, and I’ve also seen what happens when students feel they belong. The difference is night and day. Call me stubborn, but I believe mental health programs, anti-bullying efforts, and inclusive policies aren’t add-ons—they’re lifelines. If we want kids to learn, they need to feel safe first.
Transparency & Accountability
You ever try to follow a school board meeting and feel like you need a decoder ring? Yeah, me too. Families deserve better than jargon-filled reports and decisions made behind closed doors. Transparency isn’t just about posting PDFs on a website—it’s about being upfront, answering hard questions, and admitting when something isn’t working.
And accountability? That means when trustees make choices, they own them. No passing the buck, no vague “we’ll look into it.” I want parents, students, and staff to know exactly how and why decisions were made. If I’m not willing to explain myself plainly, then frankly, I shouldn’t be sitting at that table.
Responsible Use of Funds
Money in education is always tight—always has been, probably always will be. Which is exactly why every dollar matters. I’ve worked inside classrooms where teachers dip into their own pockets for supplies and snacks for their students. Meanwhile, families wonder why shiny new projects pop up while their kid’s class still doesn’t have enough EA support.
I’m not against spending, but it has to make sense. Put the bulk of our resources into classrooms—into the people and tools that actually touch students’ lives. Fancy plans and endless consultants don’t teach kids. Teachers do. Support staff do. And parents notice when budgets don’t line up with those realities.
Strong Community Voice
One thing about Fort Saskatchewan: people here aren’t shy about speaking up when something feels off. And that’s a strength, not a nuisance. If I’m elected, my job isn’t just to sift through board packets—it’s to show up in gyms, church basements, and school council meetings, listening to what families actually say.
A trustee without community ties is just another nameplate at the table. I don’t want to be that. I want to carry Fort Saskatchewan voices into those board discussions, so when decisions are made, nobody can claim they didn’t know what our community needs. Because they will.
Get Involved
Your Voice Matters
Whether it’s a quick conversation, a message, or sharing your perspective at a council meeting, community input is what keeps trustees accountable.
If what I’ve shared here resonates with you, I’d love for you to spread the word, talk to your neighbours, and reach out if you have questions.
Don’t Forget to Vote!
Election Day is October 20, 2025.
Your vote helps ensure Fort Saskatchewan families have a strong, trusted voice at the EIPS Board table.
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