The Pembina Hills School Division bid farewell to long-time secretary-treasurer Tracy Meunier, who has worked for the local school board in its various incarnations for 35 years.
Meunier was met with applause from Pembina Hills staff as she entered the room where trustees were holding their bi-monthly meeting Nov. 27.
Board chair Jennifer Tuininga noted that Meunier originally started working as the executive assistant to the county manager in 1984, when the operation of local schools was still under the management of the County of Barrhead.
In 1995, she became the treasurer to the newly-formed Pembina Hills Regional Division No. 7, which was created from the amalgamation of the Westlock School Division, the County of Barrhead and the Swan Hills School District.
In 1998, she received her CMA (Certified General Accountant) designation and her job title changed to secretary-treasurer for the Pembina Hills Regional Division a year later.
Tuininga noted that during this span of time, Meunier served with eight different superintendents and 12 different boards.
“As the Pembina Hills historian and librarian, we hope that you have a direct line set up at your sunny spot on the beach,” she joked.
“You will be missed by all, but you definitely deserve this next chapter in your life. Your dedication, your hard work and diligence over the past 35 years has led this school division through great times and also some very difficult times.”
Tuininga ended her speech by thanking Meunier on behalf of all the trustees and staff for serving the students, families and community of Pembina Hills.
Noting that her last day of work is technically Jan. 4, 2020 — she will be on vacation until then — Meunier said she couldn’t believe that her last day had come.
“Seriously, this has been a whole sea of emotions,” she added.
“One of the pluses and one of the minuses, I think, of having the opportunity to be with an organization for so long is that you get to grow with it, and you get to change with it … The downside is, it’s really hard to leave.”
She thanked all the staff members who had assembled to wish her a fond farewell, and noted that she had also recently celebrated her 36th wedding anniversary to her husband Neil.
