What is behind the sudden surge of interest in becoming a Pembina Hills school trustee? Is it concern about tightening budgets? The fear of growing class sizes? Declining enrollment?
In previous elections it has been almost a given that trustees are returned by acclamation.
This time around, however, there are 18 candidates competing across the division, ten of them in the three Barrhead electoral subdivisions for the Town and County.
Of the incumbents only board chair Sharon Volorney, a trustee for 15 years, has decided against running. We wish her well in retirement and salute her for her sterling service.
At the same time, we applaud those who are seeking to sit around the PHRD table for the first time.
Such an impressive number of aspiring trustees bodes extremely well for local education.
Of particular note are two young mothers who are keen to make a difference in education: Robin Kapler and Jennifer Tuininga. How refreshing that young people should be confident and passionate enough to step forward.
New faces invariably mean new ideas, new outlooks and new energy.
