School District 47 has scheduled April 24 for a byelection to elect three new school trustees.
At the February 10 board of education meeting, trustees received two letters of resignation, from Aaron Reid and Russell Brewer. A third trustee will have to be elected after the death of trustee Jackie Timothy in January.
In her letter of resignation, Reid stated the recent and tragic passing of fellow trustee Jackie Timothy has helped her reflect on what is best for herself, her family and her business at the present time. She stated she is submitting her letter of resignation to take effect upon the date a successor takes office after the byelection.
“It is my intent to carry on with my role and duties as normal until such time as a successor is sworn in and ready to be present at the board table,” stated Reid. “It has been my pleasure, and in fact, my honour, to represent our citizens at the table for the past 12 years.”
Brewer stated in his letter of resignation that he, too, would be remaining in office until a successor takes office following the April 24 byelection.
“I am deeply appreciative to be working with such dedicated staff and trustees at the school district,” stated Brewer. “I continue to be passionate about public education, public service and our community, and will continue to serve as a diligent trustee until a successor takes office. However, I believe the coming byelection affords an opportunity for others in the community who may be equally passionate about public education to participate and contribute as a trustee for our community.
“My sincere thanks to the staff and my colleagues at the board for the great work done for our community on a consistent basis.”
In a letter to education minister Jennifer Whiteside, School District 47 board of education chairperson Dale Lawson outlined the byelection. She stated that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school district plans to implement measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among those who participate in the byelection.
Lawson requested that the minister issue an order in relation to the byelection to help support the school district’s efforts to minimize the risk of transmission. Lawson stated the board would appreciate a ministerial order that permits voting by all eligible electors to be done by mail ballot, and in relation to this, may permit elector registration to be done in conjunction with this voting.
Lawson also requested that the order permit an elector to make oral declarations that the elector is entitled to vote in the byelection when obtaining a ballot for voting, in which case, the election official responsible must make a record that the elector made an oral declaration.
The school district is putting its election infrastructure in place. At the school board meeting, trustees carried a motion that Cathy Greiner be appointed chief election officer for conducting the 2021 byelection, with power to appoint other election officials as required for administration and conduct of the byelection. School district secretary-treasurer Steve Hopkins has been named deputy chief election officer.
Hopkins said Greiner has worked for City of Powell River and has conducted a number of elections. He said a school district webpage not yet published will be going up, pertaining to the byelection.
