Largely unchanged SD73 board looking ahead to challenges, opportunities facing Kamloops-area schools

Heather Grieve is also back for her third term as trustee. She said there are numerous challenges facing the district, be it changing enrolment, rising costs, as well as the need for continued advocacy around the requirement for new schools along with better supports for students and staff.

“I think we’ve got a really nice group that will come to the table and work for the betterment of our district and continue to do the board’s work, which is really the less glamorous part of education around governance,” Grieve said.

Grieve placed second with 9,658 votes, and said this will be her last term as her daughter is no longer in the school system. She also wants to work toward “succession planning” over the next four years before making way for new voices and ideas.

“I feel incredibly privileged to continue to have a seat at the table,” Grieve added. “There are so many people who are courageous enough to put their name out there. I think there are important people who want to also contribute and I look forward to seeing who will run and be successful in four years.”

One of those new faces is Troylana Manson, who told CFJC she’s “excited and can’t wait to get started.” Manson finished fourth with 8,122 votes, and said she is grateful to the people of Kamloops who supported her bid to become trustee.

The retired teacher believes her classroom experience and knowledge in the school system will be an asset at the board table.

“Whether it’s health and safety or CEA support or other professional support,” Manson said. “As well as… if the district decides to focus in a certain area and they want a report on it, I will be able to say, ‘Okay, that will mean this needs to happen in the classroom.'”

John O’Fee (9,144 votes) and Kathleen Karpuk (7,290 votes) also won re-election as Kamloops-based trustees, and they’ll embark on their third and sixth terms, respectively.

Also returning are Shelley Sim in Area 2 (North Thompson), Diane Jules, who was acclaimed in Area 4 (Chase), and Cara McKelvey in Area 5 (Logan Lake). New trustee Bronwen Bird, who was acclaimed in Area 3 (Barriere-Little Fort), brings previous experience as a trustee in the Boundary School District (SD51).

Grieve said since there wasn’t much turnover, the new board should be able to get up to speed fairly quickly once it’s sworn in next month. While it remains to be seen whether she will carry on as chair, there will be a new vice-chair, as four-term trustee Rhonda Kershaw did not seek re-election in Area 3.

“Every November, that’s the beautiful thing, too, as it’s never for the full four-year term, but every year we revisit this and decide what direction the board wants to go in,” Grieve said. “We have an opportunity to support new voices, perspectives, new leadership, which is a wonderful thing.”

Hickson said he doesn’t plan to see a leadership role at the local level, and instead is hoping to keep working on regional and provincial advocacy.

“This is a city that’s growing and it’s a city that has a lot of needs and the school district can be a lot more responsive to our community needs with how we’re developing,” Hickson said. “This is just the tip of the iceberg, and I’m so excited to continue the conversation in all facets of these priorities.”

“But ultimately, it’s about being a good governor. It’s about being one of nine voices that I think is really consequential for our district, our community and the future of our province.”

Manson also said she’s willing to learn and apologized in advance if she has a lot of question that cause meetings to take a longer than expected.

“I want to be able to understand and be able to advocate really strongly for that classroom,” she said, noting she wants to hear from staff, students and families.

“My platform was based on mental health and well-being for that classroom and school and I think the public wants that and so if it means we’re going to steer this ship in a little different direction than it has been, I’m pleased.”

by Victor Kaisar

Largely unchanged SD73 board looking ahead to challenges, opportunities facing Kamloops-area schools

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