Of the nine current Chinook's Edge School Board trustees, at least five plan to seek re-election in the upcoming October vote, while at least two others do not play to run again.
There are 40 schools in the Innisfail-based Chinook's Edge School Division.
Current board chair Colleen Butler says she plans to seek a fourth term. She says the division is facing a number of challenges she hopes to help address during the next term.
“I want to help get the best education we can for the kids in Chinook's Edge given the limited resources we have to work with,” said Butler, who is the trustee for the Delburne/Elnora-area Ward 3.
“I think we have to come up with ways of doing things to lessen the impact of budget cuts as much as possible, while still maintaining programs and class sizes. All of those things are important for our division.”
Trudy James, first-term trustee for the Olds-area Ward 7, says she plans to seek a second term so she can carry on with some of the work done during the last term.
“It is a really steep learning curve to become a trustee,” said James. “You go to seminars to learn and I don't think it is fair to the electorate not to run for at least a second term. It takes a while to really understand. Not that you really know all the answers.”
Key issues facing the division over the next term will include finances and transportation, she said.
“The budget cuts have been really tough and our transportation was cut drastically, our funding to transportation. We have so much rural area and some of our bus runs are really long. We are trying to see how we can cut some of those bus runs down in time. Some are over an hour.”
Joe-Anne Knispel-Matejka, the first-term trustee for the Sylvan Lake-area Ward 1, says she will be seeking another term.
“Our main issue is the money one, trying to get more money from the government for our schools,” said Knispel-Matejka. “We've already got a good plan in place so let's hope that it works out.”
Ron Fisher, the fifth-term trustee for the Sundre-area Ward 6, says he plans to seek another term.
He said he hopes to help “maintain and improve what we have in Chinook's Edge where our schools are performing excellent.”
“We are really the envy of most of the province,” said Fisher. “Our schools have a well-deserved reputation in the province and that is what I'd like to maintain.”
Ensuring that as many students as possible graduate in the division and that the community at large continues to be involved with schools will be among his goals if he is re-elected, he said.
Connie Huelsman, trustee for the Bowden/Spruce View-area Ward 5 said she will be seeking re-election for a fourth term.
“I still feel that I have a lot to contribute,” said Huelsman. “I've been a big part of the Teachers Matters committee, as chair, so I want to carry that forward. We've started the public consultation committee, so I want to be part of that.
“With the budget cuts it's good to have people (trustees) with experience.”
Bill MacFarquhar, the two-term trustee for the Carstairs/Cremona-area Ward 9, says he will not be running for a third term.
“I've thoroughly enjoyed the six years I've spent on the board, but I want to find more time for family and business,” said MacFarquhar.
Eight-term trustee Penny Archibald says she will not be seeking another term.
She said she is pleased with the work she's done for the division over the years.
“We have an excellent division in Chinook's Edge,” said Archibald.
Trustee Gordon Kerr said he will be announcing his intentions regarding seeking re-election on Sept. 11.
Trustees Sherry Cooper could not be reached for comment at press time Friday.
