When Moose Jaw residents head to the polls on Nov. 9 for the civic election, they will be voting for more than just the mayoral seat and city council members.
Prairie South School Division and Holy Trinity Roman Catholic School Division are also seeking to elect their board trustees on those ballots, to be announced alongside the other election results on Nov. 13.
All four candidates running in Holy Trinity for Moose Jaw and Shaunovan will be acclaimed, with Swift Current required to make a decision between two candidates.
Prairie South, which is split into six subdivisions covering the entire expanse of the school division, will have a few more candidate races to keep track of. Current trustees Robert Bachman and Giselle Wilson are the only candidates running in their respective subdivisions and will be acclaimed following the election.
Here is a summary of the candidates running for Prairie South’s school board:
Subdivision 1, including Craik, Eyebrow, Central Butte, Chaplin and Mortlach
Wayne Miller is the deputy mayor of Riverhurst, co-chair of Pallier Regional Park and board member for Palliser Plains Co-op. Miller said he believes in the importance of good education and the inclusion of extracurricular activities in rural schools, which he will bring to the board if elected.
Darcy Pryor is seeking re-election for subdivision one and operates a farm and ranch operation with her family. As a returning trustee, Pryor has committed to remaining in touch with all communities to hear their specific concerns, in order to advocate for them.
Subdivision 2, including Caronport, Moose Jaw, Rouleau, and Avonlea
Robert Bachman has served on the board of education since 2014, as well as serving on the Infrastructure and Governance committee and as the chair of the Innovation Committee. Bachman resides in Caronport and listed his priorities as family engagement, equitable opportunities for all students, and a desire to promote innovative approaches to education to help students prepare for the future.
Subdivision 3, including Mossbank and Assiniboia
John Bumbac is a retired educator and administrator currently serving on the Saskatchewan Pulse Board and the University of Regina Senate Committee. He has also previously served on several other boards including the Five Hills Health Region, SAHO, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and the Viterra Farm Leadership Council. He believes that having over 50 years of experience in education makes him a good representative and that all rural schools need a positive voice to stay viable for the future.
Sandra Jennett has been a resident of Assibinoia and currently lives on a farm just outside of Mossbank, making both communities dear to her heart. She has served on Mossbank’s School Community Council for many years and feels there is great value in listening to the community. She will be an advocate and a voice for the subdivision.
Subdivision 4, including Bengough, Rockglen and Coronach
Giselle Wilson has been a Prairie South trustee since 2014 and lives with her family in Coronach. She is a strong supporter of rural education and believes that rural schools have resilience, strength and warmth and that the mix of rural and urban schools within Prairie South makes the division unique in a way that should be celebrated.
Subdivision 5, including Gravelbourg, Kincaid, Lafleche, Mankota and Glentworth
Shawn Davidson has served on the Prairie South board since 2011, first as vice-chair, then as chairperson and currently as the president of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. He is seeking another term as trustee and intends to continue his advocacy for education, innovative programming and excellent school facilities with well-supported staff.
Bonnie Poirier has worked as an LPN for nearly 19 years and currently works at a nursing home in Mankota while also running a grain farm and taking care of her two children. Born in Moose Jaw, Poirier said that raising children attending rural schools poses a different challenge than those in urban schools and as such, she wants to provide a strong voice and support for students and educators.
Subdivision 6, at-large for Moose Jaw
Crystal Froese is a current city councillor and is seeking election to the school board to build a strong future for students and the community. She has served on numerous boards in the past, including Business Women of Moose Jaw and as currently as the president of the South Hill Community Association. She has indicated that the joint-use school project in Westheath is a priority, both in keeping the public engaged moving forward and creating a plan for the four school buildings that will be empty in the future.
Brett Hagan has been an educational assistant within Prairie South from 2005 to 2019, and has also worked at Gamin Abet Group Home with at-risk youth, is a certified trainer at Main Street Strength and Conditioning and serves on the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Advisory Committee. He said he enjoys working with youth and is passionate about education and support educational professionals.
Todd Johnson has been very active within the community, including serving on the Peacock Collegiate School Community Council and as a basketball coach in Moose Jaw for 30 years. He is also the general manager of the Wakamow Valley Authority and serves on several community associations and boards. Johnson said he would bring a strong business sense and a passion for community to the school board.
Mary Jukes is seeking re-election to the school board, approaching the position as a retired educator who has served in many roles within the division and on numerous boards and committees in her career. She is also on the board for Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing and the Thunder Creek Rehabilitation Association. She said she is passionate about life-long learning and community participation, and she will continue to offer approachability and informed decision making.
Brian Martynook is retired, having previously served as the CEO of the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, as a director for the Five Hills Health Region board, Habitat for Humanity, Moose Jaw Literacy Network, Hillcrest Sports Centre and with the Regina Airport Authority. He looks forward to serving the community by providing insight to the strategic division of the school division.
Jan Pogorzelec (Rice) has been an educator in Saskatchewan for 35 years, as a teacher, principal, councillor, curriculum coordinator and superintendent. She believes in supporting learning opportunities for students and representing both families and educational partners, and ensuring that educational supports and services are accessible to all students.
Barry Stewart recently retired after two decades in a leadership role with Prairie South, and also represented the division on provincial committees including the Saskatchewan Association of School Board Officials. He is also experienced as a coach and board member with local sports organizations including the Moose Jaw Lacrosse Association, and is married to a career educator and understands the unique needs of both classrooms and administration.
Wendy Vincent has served on school community councils at both Sunningdale Elementary and Central Collegiate and has previously advocated for students’ wellbeing while also planning academic and social activities to encourage leadership and school spirit. She has also served at the chairperson for the Sunningdale/VLA/Westpark Community Association and is a coordinator for the Moose Jaw Youth Flag Football League. She believes her professionalism, communication and problem-solving skills and previous school involvement will benefit a position on the school board.
Gail Whitfield previously served on the school board during the TCSD and Prairie South amalgamation and worked with the Moose Jaw Police Service as a communications officer, and administrative assistant to the school liaison officers, as well as with Victims Services. Whitfield said that she would strive to make every school in the division a school to be proud of, and will work with parents and staff to achieve that goal.
Lew Young is seeking to continue serving parents, staff and students at Prairie South with an additional term on the board. Young is semi-retired as a funeral director and said he would continue ensuring the school board provides up-to-date resources to educators to empower student learning and achievements and offer an open-door policy for parents and staff’s concerns.
For full details of each candidates’ submitted bios, visit prairiesouth.ca to view the election information currently listed.
