It was a lighthearted election going into the new school year at Western School Division's annual reorganizational meeting, which takes place at the first meeting in September.
Nominations are made for chair and vice chair roles. This year, there wasn't any opposition from other trustees accepting a nomination to run.
Darcy Wolfe described his thoughts on being acclaimed as chair for the division once again.
"I'm excited. I'm humbled that my fellow trustees voted me to be the board chair again. I'm just excited to get back to doing the things that we do here around the board table. It's been a calm summer. We're excited to have school back, have our regular meetings again, and we are really looking forward to doing what we do around the table, which is look out for what's best for the students in our schools and for our community."
Wolfe, who served as vice chair before being elected as chair last year, will serve alongside reelected trustee Lisa Burley as vice chair. This is their second year as a team.
Burley had this to say about her reelection.
"I'm honoured to serve Western School Division for a second year as vice chair, and I'm grateful to the board for their confidence. I love supporting the students and staff because I believe that what is produced is a result of what has been put into something. So, making an effort to invest in our students benefits not only that individual, but also their whole community."
While making decisions for the coming year, which leads into municipal and school board elections, conversations were had about how to best plan for potential changes.
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Wolfe wants the community to do the same.
"I think this year is going to be a year where all the trustees around the table are going to have to think whether they want to run again in the next election, which is next October. I would use this opportunity to encourage anybody out there who is interested in schools, interested in working for their community. This is a great opportunity for them to get involved and to make a real difference. So, I would encourage them to come and talk to one of the trustees, and we could encourage them to run in next year's elections. Having more choice is always better, and it shows that our community is interested in the education and the kids that are in our community."
Wolfe said having a new superintendent leading the division adds a new element to the work of the division. He noted, “Change is good, and change is exciting,” and while they may not have been stuck in their ways, it may help them to change and grow and find new and better ways of doing things.
At the reorganizational meeting, trustees accept responsibilities to serve on five committees.
Trustees Lisa Burley and Brian Fransen will meet with staff groups to build relationships through the Liaison Committee.
Trustees Darcy Wolfe and Susana Hawryshko will be on the Negotiation Committee, which works with staff groups on contract negotiations.
Trustees Fransen and Burley are on the Red River Technical Vocational Area Committee (RRTVA) that meets with RRTVA partnering division trustees and executive periodically throughout the year. Fransen currently serves as chair for RRTVA.
Trustees Hawryshko and Nicole Levesque will handle policy on the Governance Committee, and Wolfe and Levesque will serve on the Communications Committee.