The board of trustees for School District 70 has a hard year of decisions ahead, and having the experience of most of the incumbents returning will help, says Larry Ransom.
Ransom, Pam Craig, Rosemarie Buchanan, Pat Dahlquist and John Bennie were all re-elected. Jane Jones will be the new voice on the board, replacing Gaelle Frey.
"It is important that we have experience on the board," Ransom said once the results were announced at the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District office in Port Alberni. "All the incumbents are aware of the issues. We'll have some full discussions and work on improving communication throughout our district, and work with the media on improving communication with the public."
Jones said being the only new face on the board is not too intimidating. As a member of the North Island College board "I feel very comfortable presenting ideas as well as dealing with the board."
Jones is a member of the Tseshaht First Nation, and says she hopes to build communication between the school district and First Nations communities. "I have been in education most of my life. I think I can bring some ideas from the First Nations and some communication from the First Nations communities," she said.
Jones added that one of the reasons she decided to run for school board is to make young people in the First Nations community aware that they can vote once they reach the age of majority.
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