Along with the Oct. 16 municipal election, St. Paul Education Regional Division also held its board election, which saw two incumbents returned to office and one newcomer elected.
Two wards in the immediate St. Paul area were up for election. Incumbent Rhonda Lafrance held onto her seat in Ward D, garnering 539 votes to Sylvie Smyl’s 421 votes.
In the Glen Avon Ward, newly elected trustee Justin Anderson will now sit on the school board, receiving 288 votes; while incumbent Christopher Cook received 124 votes.
Having been acclaimed for the past two elections in 2013, and 2010, it wasn’t since she won her seat as a new trustee in 2007 that Lafrance has had to go through the election process.
“It’s a very humbling experience,” says Lafrance, as she reflects on the past month. She described the election as a “month-long job interview” as she spent time reaching out to residents; however, she notes, it’s always hard to predict who will go out and vote.
Ten years ago, when Lafrance decided to take a run at the position of school board trustee, she says she was simply curious to see if it would be a good fit for her. At that time, she beat out incumbent Doug Miller for her seat in Ward D.
She ended up winning that election by a mere 15 votes.
“It was very close . . . and I had no idea what I was getting into,” she admits. But, over the last decade, Lafrance has become more versed in the role and the issues. While she said she did consider not running in this election, a few provincial issues have come up that she is particularly concerned about.
The importance of keeping locally elected boards and preserving Catholic school boards are two items she points out, adding, she represents two Catholic schools in her ward.
The election “renewed my spirits,” says Lafrance. Overall, she has become very “passionate” about her role as a school board trustee.
“We’re educating our future leaders.”
Meanwhile, Anderson notes that as one of the new trustees, he is sure there will be a learning curve, but said he intends to work hard on behalf of the people he represents.
“I am very humbled by the support I received throughout the election process, and by the people that voted for me,” he said. “My focus will include being accessible to the parents and students in my division, to learn about their concerns, and to work together to find solutions to those concerns.”
The Glen Avon Ward hasn’t seen an election since 1998. Some voters voiced confusion regarding which ward to vote in, since the Glen Avon Ward overlaps with Ward D and E.
SPERD board chair Heather Starosielski says the same issue arises whenever there is an election in Ward D, E or Glen Avon.
“It is really not any more complicated than anywhere else in the province that has separate and public school districts. Except for us the reverse is true. If you are Protestant and live in (Glen Avon) ward, you vote in (Glen Avon). That should be the question the polling clerks ask,” says Starosielski.
At the polling station, voters may have been asked if they wanted a public or separate school ballot, and in St. Paul, Glen Avon Protestant is the separate ward, unlike other areas of the province where the Catholic schools are typically separate.
“The selection of a ballot is based on two criteria: a) residence and b) faith,” according to the frequently asked questions document put together by SPERD. “If you have children or where they go to school is not relevant,” states the information.
In Ward E, former town councillor Dwight Wiebe was acclaimed to the position taking the seat vacated by Rhea Looy, and will be another new face on the board. While Wiebe had put his name forward for re-election with the Town of St. Paul council, he was not re-elected in that position.
In the Two Hills area, incumbent Ruven Rajoo retained his seat with 506 votes. Lorrett Tatarin was defeated with 415 votes.
“On behalf of St. Paul Education, I’m pleased to welcome two new trustees Justin Anderson, and Dwight Wiebe,” says Starosielski, who was also acclaimed in her position.
“The board looks forward to their perspectives and input as we begin a new four-year term. It is an exciting time in the world of education with many changes surrounding education legislation, division capital projects, pending developments in curriculum and more.”
She noted that Looy would be missed after serving on the board for 16 years. Looy “always demonstrated compassion and grace in all of her decisions surrounding students and staff of St. Paul, and we wish her all the best on her retirement.”
