After a little more than 16 months, Lewis Semashkewich has decided to step aside from his post as a school board trustee.
Semashkewich was elected to his first term back in September 2013 in the Aspen View North West district – which represents areas to the west of Athabasca as well as the Smith region.
He handed in his resignation to the board at their meeting last Thursday in Smoky Lake.
“Part of the reason is, when looking at my business life and other commitments, I simply wasn’t able to commit the time I felt was needed to be able to do the job as a trustee,” he explained in a phone interview on Saturday.
“When I first decided to take on this role, I thought it would be more of a governance role.”
Instead, Semashkewich stated he found the position involved a lot of time spent focusing on functions that he thought would be best handled by those hired by the school division.
“I didn’t sign up to do the job that the board hired administrative people to do,” he said.
“I don’t know why we were doing what the superintendent is supposed to do. I support the superintendent, the board and the education system and I wanted to do a good job for the public. I feel good about the people that are in place, it’s just the process I couldn’t handle.”
Semashkewich added he felt his plate was already too full with all of his other commitments and therefore unable to devote even more time to the various meetings, committees, workshops and other things that entail being a trustee.
For their part, the board of trustees reluctantly accepted Semashkewich’s resignation.
“We kind of expected it,” said board chair Dennis MacNeil on Friday.
“Lewis brought diversity and lots of ideas to the table and he just was not able to devote the amount of time anymore.”
Superintendent Mark Francis explained that since there is nearly two and half years left until the next general election for school boards, the board of trustees have determined they will hold a by-election to fill the vacancy.
Nominations will be taken for the position until Mar. 10 with an election date of Apr. 7 should one be necessary.
MacNeil added the rest of the board of trustees decided to move ahead with the by-election for a number of reasons.
“Because its an important job and the public needs adequate representation, we felt a by-election was necessary,” he said.
“And with the lengthy period before the next organizational meeting, that will give the new trustee ample time to adjust and determine what they want to do.”
Francis stated that anyone wanting more information about what the job entails or a nomination form should contact the Aspen View Public Schools office at (780) 675-7080.
