Four new members join the three returning school trustees on the local school board as a result of last Saturday's civic election.
Topping the Sechelt poll was newcomer Silas White. A past recipient of the Governor General's medal from School District No. 46, White is the youngest member of the new board. In a prepared statement White said he was "extremely excited about receiving such a strong and enthusiastic mandate for more active community representation and input at the school board."
White is the managing editor of Harbour Publishing. He campaigned on the issues of class sizes and the board's relationship with teachers. White, along with most of the other elected trustees, is pleased with the composition of the new board. Also elected in Sechelt was incumbent Dave Mewhort. Mewhort found this election an interesting experience.
"Last [election] I was elected by acclamation. Some of the questions I was asked during the campaigning were thought-provoking. I learned something," he said. "I believe we have a strong new board. I'm looking forward to the new term."
In rural area one, Mary Bittroff was the successful candidate. Bittroff is a retired schoolteacher and had previously served on the Delta school board including a term as chair.
"I was quite gratified that I got such a majority [of the votes]," Bittroff said. She said the reality set in on Sunday when she was gathering up her campaign signs.
"I think I've signed up for a job here," was her initial thought on winning. "I'm planning to work hard," she said.Several of the newly-elected trustees singled out Bittroff's experience and White's energy and enthusiasm as definite assets to the new board.
Lori Dixon, returning trustee from rural area two, is pleased with the skills of the new board.
"From a very young man to a very experienced person, I think [the composition] is a positive thing. There are only three old hands of whom I'm the long-in-the-tooth one," she said.
"I think that's all good, good, good."
Dixon is anxious to see an effective orientation for the new board members. She said it's important for the group to come together as a team before they can set goals and provide a vision for the board.
Joining Dixon from area two are incumbent Greg Russell and newcomer Norm Gleadow. Preliminary results had Russell topping the polls in the area. "I'm really excited about the new board. It's a good blend of experience," Russell said. Russell also paid tribute to past members of the board, Joe Brooks and Diana Eldred, saying he was grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them.
For his part, Brooks, chair of the board at election, gave credit to Mewhort and White for putting a lot of effort into their campaigns. And while Brooks is disappointed he isn't going back to the board for another term, he is looking forward to being "fully retired."
Gleadow, while new to the school board, is no stranger to education on the Sunshine Coast. He's the past president of the Sunshine Coast Teachers' Association. He will continue to advocate for his two main election platforms: visible and vocal support for public education and more opportunities for the community and other stakeholders such as parents, union members and businesses to have a say in local education.
The Gibsons representative on the board, newcomer Ken Sinnott, is pleased the election is over.
"My opponent (Roz Griston) ran a strong campaign. I'm happy I have the support of the people of Gibsons," Sinnott said.
Sinnott plans to base his decisions on the board on what will result in the best education for the students on the Sunshine Coast.
The one concern many of the new trustees voiced was the low voter turnout. In most areas it averaged 30 per cent. The official results for the Sechelt school trustees were: Joe Brooks 718 votes, Charlotte Mallory 998, Dave Mewhort 1067, Arnet Tuffs 380, Silas White 1,224. Final results for the Gibsons trustee were: Roz Griston 459 votes, Ken Sinnott 544. As of press time, official results for rural areas one and two were not available.
