ATHABASCA - Aspen View Public Schools (AVPS) trustees are the public face of the school division, but behind the scenes, a team of professionals is always working to support them with information and advice that helps them make the best possible decisions for students across the region.
Such is the case for communication officer Ross Hunter who found out during the April 15 board meeting that trustees had nominated him for the ‘Special Contribution to Public Education-Media' award through the Public School Boards’ Association (PSBA) for his contributions to the larger organization.
“It is with great enthusiasm that we, the trustees at Aspen View Public Schools, nominate our communications officer, Ross Hunter,” said trustee Anne Karczmarczyk. “It goes without saying that Ross is an integral part of our division office; not only supporting our schools with their websites, content and overall advice and support, but our Superintendent, Trustees and other division staff. He is our liaison with all our media and has a respectful working relationship with all.”
Hunter started his career as a journalist in British Columbia and Saskatchewan before moving to Alberta permanently, taking on the job of editor at the Athabasca Advocate in 2000, then publisher in 2003 until he joined AVPS.
“With his 15 years of experience at Great West (Media LP) and (as a) community member it was a wonderful fit for him to join Aspen View Public Schools as our communications officer in 2015,” said Karczmarczyk.
Hunter lives in Athabasca with his wife Shona, the assistant principal at Landing Trail Intermediate School (LTIS) and his two children who attend Edwin Parr Composite (EPC). Hunter is also known for his love of curling, always carrying a curling rock shaped coffee mug and for sporting colourful socks.
“Ross’s knowledge provides us with the insight we need to move forward on issues from the local level and up to provincial matters ensuring we are always informed and prepared,” said Karczmarczyk. “When it comes to special contributions that Ross has made to public education, there are many, but there is one that comes to mind that has been extremely impactful.”
She pointed out Hunter’s contribution to the ‘We’re Better ...Together’ campaign started when Lakeland Catholic Schools applied for a separate school in the Town of Athabasca. AVPS were not allowed to participate in the community consultation so created the campaign to keep the public informed.
“Ross’s ability to collaborate with trustees and staff to ensure that all materials were at hand and distributed were one of the reasons we were successful in the campaign. It was through thoughtful, articulate and consistent messaging Athabasca voted not to establish a separate school,” she said.
“Ross’s dedication to this campaign was a special contribution to public education because we were able to show that a small school division could come through to show our school families and community what a significant role, we —Aspen View Public — play in the education for all students.”
Hunter was visibly moved by the nomination as trustees gave him a round of applause.
“I'm so incredibly humbled and honoured and surprised,” he said. “I'm not sure if this is COVID symptoms or heart attack; it's one or the other.”
Chair Candy Nikipelo said the awards are handed out at the PSBA spring general meeting June 3-4, adding “in our eyes, you’re already a winner.”
“I have always felt supported and valued by the board and administration, and my role of communicating on behalf of Aspen View is made easier by the fact that, at the division level and in each of our schools, important and valuable work takes place every day that supports our students and families,” Hunter said in an April 17 e-mail.
