On October 26th, an event will occur that will shape the direction of Mountain View School Division and public education for the next four years. This event is school board elections. Trustee elections occur in conjunction with municipal elections; however, there is very little news coverage when submitting your name to the ballot for a school board trustee. It is unfortunate, as the role of a trustee can influence the direction of an area for years through the education of our youth.
Currently, MVSD’s trustees are elected based on the ward system. There are two trustees from Ward 1 (Roblin Municipality), two trustees from Ward 2 (Municipality of Ethelbert, Gilbert Plains Municipality, Grandview Municipality and a portion of RM of Mountain), two trustees from Ward 3 (RM of Dauphin, RM of Lakeshore, Mossey River Municipality and a portion of the RM of Mountain and McCreary Municipalities), and three trustees from Ward 4 (City of Dauphin).
Some of the voices may remain the same, however, there will be a few new voices with two vacant seats needing to be filled in Ward 2 and Ward 3, respectively. Additionally, a few trustees are choosing not to let their names stand this election, so MVSD’s board composition will change, with the possibility of many new voices at the table. Any person residing within MVSD’s boundaries may let their name stand as a school board trustee in any ward within the division.
A school board trustee represents the unique voice of their community’s perspectives at the board table. People run for school trusteeship for a variety of reasons – some want to serve the community they represent, to be their voice; others have a passion for education and a desire to influence the direction of the public education system; while others may have experienced a situation within their community or school, and they want to become a trustee to try to change it. A diverse group of people from all walks of life at the school board table are essential, as some voices or viewpoints may be lost and unheard in the considerations of the future direction of MVSD.
Whatever the reason that encourages a person to submit their name to the ballot for trusteeship, once they are successfully sitting at the school division’s board table, a trustee works on behalf of all the youth and families within the division, not just the ward they represent. Some decisions will be easy to make, while others will be difficult, as the decision may go against certain community values or desires. A person needs to put biases aside and conclusions should be made in consideration of the whole division. Nevertheless, each person can make their views known at the table before the final decision is made.
Is it a glamourous job? No. Most of the work trustees complete is behind the scenes. There will be instances where a trustee will rejoice with an accomplishment, while other times be frustrated and question why they are sitting at the board table. However, the potential to help all children within the division to succeed and become the best version of themselves makes it all very rewarding.
After the last two years of turmoil in education, there is now a public framework proposed by the Manitoba government which will change the future of education. A new direction within the public education system is essential to ensure children can succeed. It will be up to each trustee at the school board table to ensure that the changes work for MVSD and the future of our youth.
For more information, talk to any current or former trustee who would be more than willing to talk about the role of trusteeship, and please visit MVSD’s website. There is an informative resource page on Trustee Elections 2022 under the Board of Trustees tab at https://www.mvsd.ca/elections2022/. This page contains links to governing documents, ward boundaries and the trustee handbook, which explains expectations, information on board meetings and frequency. Additionally, the Manitoba School Boards Association has an excellent resource at https://www.mbschoolboards.ca/documents/Guide%20to%20School%20Boards%20and%20Trusteeship.pdf with more information on their website. Candidate packages can be picked up now at the MVSD Administration Office and nominations will be received on the following days: Sep. 14th, 15th, 16th, 19th and 20th.