The newest board members for the Flin Flon School Division (FFSD) have been sworn in.
Meeting for the first time on Oct. 30, the seven members of school board recited an oath of office and signed an affidavit of qualification for their positions. Three new trustees – Jill Akkerman, Leslie Power and Ebony Trubiak – have joined incumbents Tim Davis, Leslie Fernandes, Amy Sapergia Green and Murray Skeavington. All took the oath except Skeavington, who was not present for the meeting and will take his oath at the FFSD office at a later date.
All three new candidates said they were hopeful and excited for the next four years on the board.
“I think it’s exciting. There’s going to be a lot to learn, but they are good people to learn from,” said Akkerman.
“Everyone’s been welcoming at making us newbies feel comfortable. I’m looking forward to hearing some good information,” added Power.
“I’m looking forward to what this term has in store, for sure,” Trubiak said.
Some key titles for the board were decided during the inaugural meeting. Leslie Fernandes will serve as chair of the board, while Amy Sapergia Green, who served as board chair before the Oct. 24 school board election, will serve as vice-chair. Each will keep the titles until Sept. 2019.
Once the meeting itself was underway, the board approved a number of measures, approving a French immersion trip to Quebec and Ontario in 2020. Board chair Fernandes will lay a wreath on behalf of FFSD during the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #73 Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11. The board also confirmed it will hold its annual student council dinner on Nov. 19 at FFSD headquarters. During the dinner, members of student councils from FFSD facilities can share information with trustees face-to-face and even pitch ideas for school improvements.
The new board also discussed a call for nominations and resolutions from the Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) in advance of a Nov. 13 deadline imposed by the group.
“This might not make a whole lot of sense to anybody, but at the AGM in March, the MSBA will take resolutions for discussion at their meeting. Usually, as a region, we would come forth if we had anything we wanted to discuss or bring forward. To my knowledge, there is not,” said Fernandes.
Trustees offered no resolutions or nominations for the MSBA during the meeting.
Once the meeting concluded, trustees received advice from longtime school board member Angela Simpson. Simpson, who had served on the board for more than 40 years, did not earn a seat on the board during the recent election. Simpson offered gifts for the new board – namely, a vase with flowers, a sign and a tray of candies – and praised the new trustees and their interest in running in the election.
“It was a big change for you, I’m sure. It’s pretty exciting and you all look so professional up there already,” said Simpson.
