Many familiar faces will be returning to Rocky View Schools (RVS) as trustees this term, but they will be joined by two fresh faces.
Representing the City of Airdrie is newcomer Todd Brand and Fiona Gilbert will represent Ward 6 - the Town of Cochrane.
The trustee component of the Oct. 21 municipal election was relatively quiet, with respectful debates across the county.
Returning to represent Ward One - representing Crossfield, Beiseker, Irricana, Kathyrn and Airdrie rural areas - will be incumbent Norma Lang, who ran against candidate and former trustee Jennifer Avery.
“I didn’t take anything for granted, I had a competitor with well thought plans,” explained of Avery.
“This time I had a track record to talk about on the campaign trail, instead of what I thought I could do (like the last campaign).”
Lang is excited to work with the two new trustees and is encouraged that both are active within their schools and currently have children in the RVS system.
“We had some time to talk on Oct. 23 and I commend the people of Airdrie and Cochrane who elected Brand and Gilbert, they are both committed to community and kids, there is a new energy to the board.”
“They are both very involved with their schools, last term I was the only parent on the board and Fiona from Cochrane and Todd have children in their schools with school council experience.”
That school experience is what pushed Gilbert into a trustee seat, according to the school council veteran.
“I am excited, absolutely, lots to learn, lots to do, I thrive on that kind of thing,” Gilbert said.
“I think my experience with school councils over the years helped me get a seat, and I think that was a lot to do with it, and I’m very involved in my community.”
While the learning curve might be a steep one, Gilbert is eager to get to work, looking into the proposed Education Act.
“I think other than changes to some policy and procedures that need to change to reflect the new board, looking at the new Education Act … it’s a long process to see if we are lined up with Ministry of Education with the new stipulation of the Education Act.”
Incumbent Bev LaPeare will represent Ward Two, incumbent Sylvia Eggerer will represent Ward Three, incumbent Helen Clease will represent Ward Four, and Colleen Munro was acclaimed in Ward Five.
