Election of School District 47 board of trustees is unique in that every eligible voter in City of Powell River proper and qathet Regional District can cast a ballot. In the other contests, only regional district voters can cast ballots for qathet Regional District and City of Powell River voting is limited to city residents.
While the election of the trustees is sometimes seen as an afterthought compared to governing bodies that will be decided on in the 2018 general election, it has tremendous influence overseeing the entire school district organization, including the interests of 2,200 young children, teachers and administrators. Its budget of $27 million exceeds City of Powell River’s by about $1 million.
The departure of three trustees from last year’s board leaves only Doug Skinner and Aaron Reid seeking re-election.
Name recognition on the ballot goes to Russell Brewer, who has made the choice to run for school board after three terms as a city councillor. Brewer is a BC Ministry of Forests resource manager. He has served as a parent-advisory committee president and treasurer, and on numerous local boards including Powell River Division of Family Practice, Powell River Cycling Association, Powell River Métis Society, Club Bon Accueil and Powell River Track and Field Club.
Dale Lawson is executive director of Powell River and District United Way. As a parent, she is an active volunteer throughout the school district. Lawson also volunteers for Better at Home, Early Years Planning Table, Women's Health Network, Council of Partners for Success By 6, ORCA Bus, Hygiene Cupboard and Volunteer Powell River Steering Committee.
Troy Marshall is the owner of Complete Construction Services in Powell River. He has also worked as a teacher, union president and administrator. Marshall initiated dual trades programs in School District 47.
Reid is seeking her fourth term as a school board trustee. She is board representative on the school district Joint Management Committee and Powell River Chamber of Commerce and has held the positions of secretary, vice-president and president of the BC School Trustees Association South Coast Branch.
Skinner has been involved in education since 1974, the last 10 years as a Powell River school trustee. He currently sits as board of education chair. Skinner worked for 34 years as an educator and administrator.
Paula Stewart was born and raised in Powell River and went to school from K-12 in School District 47. She spent 15 years in the financial industry and now runs the Housing Program in Tla'amin Nation.
Peter Taylor is a retired music teacher, adjudicator and clinician of 35 years in public and post-secondary education. He is credited with initiating the jazz choir movement in Canada and taught locally at Powell River Academy of Music, the former Powell River Malaspina University College and led music programs at Max Cameron and Brooks Secondary schools.
Jack Timothy is a residential school and Sixties Scoop survivor, and a master carver and storyteller. His traditional name is Muksamma; from the hereditary lineage of Tla’amin Nation. He was first elected to the school board in the early 1990s to address concerns in education.
Powell River District Teachers' Association and School District 47 will host a public forum for all candidates running for School Board Trustee from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Wednesday, September 26, in Max Cameron Theatre at Brooks Secondary School.
