School District No. 46 (SD46) has three new additions to the board of trustees to replace one retiree and two other long-time public servants after Saturday's municipal election.
Jason Scott, Fran Heppell and Lori Fielding replace Norm Gleadow, Lori Dixon and Mary Bittroff.
"As I'm the rookie, I'll be listening," Heppell said after being elected in rural area two.
"I look forward to learning about the job and other communities," added Field-ing who unseated Bittroff in rural area one.
Scott, also of rural area two, said, "I want to look at creative programming for kids who aren't currently succeeding so we can keep them in school."
The trustees all have their wish lists of things to work on. Dave Mewhort, trustee for the District of Sechelt, said "continuing to work on enhancing music programs, getting seismic upgrades and polling the community in the area of school reconfiguration" topped his to-do list.Ken Sinnott, the only acclaimed trustee and representative for the Town of Gibsons, said, "Declining enrollment is the biggest challenge facing the District, and it always has been, but I think there's light at the end of tunnel. We need to reach out to the community to make sure they believe in what we're doing."
Returning trustee from rural area two, Greg Russell, said, "We need more public participation in a long-term plan for our system. We could make better use of our land through post-secondary institute partnerships and keep youth on the Coast."
Silas White, current board chair, was elected in Sechelt. "Our new trustees bring an exciting range of experience and perspectives that are going to help our board grapple with the 21st century, advocate for our students and also return to our communicative and community-minded roots," he said.
The next school board meeting will take place on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in Gibsons where the new board will officially be sworn in. The public is welcome to attend. See more information at www.sd46.bc.ca.
