Huron Expositor, 2007-12-19, Page 29News
Meg Westley returns as chair of public board
The Huron Expositor • December 19, 2007 Page 29
She says experienced leader needed during year of accommodation review in three towns
been a bit rare on accommodation
reviews for all trustees to see things
the same way."
She pointed to plans to celebrate
10 years since the amalgamation of
the former Perth County and Huron
County boards of education, remind-
ing trustees that the days are long
gone when there were whispers
about this county or that county
getting preferential treatment.
She described the Avon Maitland
board as a model across the
province for post -amalgamation
education harmony.
"Remember how well we can get
along, and don't take it personally if
you lose the (accommodation
review) vote," she advised.
"I have faith, because of the solid
ground we've been building, that
we'll pull through."
Stew Slater
With potentially -controversial
public consultation processes
recently undertaken in three sepa-
rate communities, veteran trustee
Meg Westley felt compelled to seek
a return to the top spot with the
Avon Maitland District School
Board.
And her fellow trustees obviously
believe she's the right person for the
job.
The Stratford resident defeated
one -term incumbent Jenny Versteeg
of RR 2 Gorrie at the board's 2007-
08 inaugural meeting on Tuesday,
Dec. 11, returning to a post she held
for four consecutive years beginning
in 2002-03.
Versteeg, who took over the
chair's role a year ago, was subse-
quently acclaimed vice -chair after
Stratford's Doug Pratley and South
Huron's Randy Wagler declined to
let their names stand for nomina-
tion.
Addressing truste
sion of the meet-
ing, Westley
stressed she's
"not disappoint-
ed" with
Versteeg's leader-
ship over the
past 12 months.
Indeed, she
credited the
North Perth rep-
resentative for
bringing to
fruition an exam-
ination of board
governance first
initiated while
Westley was still
chair.
"We should
really be thank-
ing you for all of
the work you
have done over
es at the conclu-
the past year," she told the outgoing
chair — the only one of the board's
nine trustees who actually faced
opposition in the 2006 municipal
election.
"I think, as a board, we really do
function a lot better because of
that."
But, in contrast to the comments
she made a year ago after declining
to let her name stand for the chair's
position — comments about the
value of bringing new ideas to the
table — Westley suggested the board
now needs an experienced leader.
In particular, pupil accommoda-
tion reviews are under way in
Goderich and Mitchell, with com-
munity-based committees currently
considering such possibilities as
combining two elementary schools
into one, and relocating Grades 7
and 8 students into secondary
school settings.
In St. Marys, meanwhile, two ele-
mentary schools have been declared
Prohibitive to Repair, and another
community-based committee is
Avon.."....
LIIP Maitland
Ialwo•I OM. II
Fairness
Honesty
Empathy
Respell
Integrity
Courage
Optimism
Compassion
Perserverance
Responsibility
Cultivating
Character
Publication and Notice of
2006-2007
Financial Statements
Under Subsection 252(2) of the Education Act,
school boards are required to make the following
financial data available to ratepayers or supporters:
2006 - 2007 Financial Statements
Notes to the Financial Statements
Auditor's Report
Director's Annual Report
These reports are available for viewing on the
Avon Maitland District School Board website at:
www.yourschools.ca
If you would like a copy call:
(519) 527-0111 or 1-800-592-5437
r;EOFF WILLIAMS
J ,, (rn, n1 Edhi ..
www.yourschools.ca
MEv
chat,
seeking input about where and in
what form to build a replacement
facility.
"I believe this coming year is
probably going to be the most chal-
lenging year of not only this board,
but also the previous board,"
Westley said.
The second -longest -serving Avon
Maitland trustee, she believes the
considerable experience she has
built up since 2000 — particularly
through more than one pupil accom-
modation review — leave her well-
placed to lead the board through
these decisions.
Westley cautioned her counter-
parts that accommodation reviews
tend to inspire division at the board
level.
"We may, very well, for the first
time disagree violently on some
things," she said. "In the past, it has
41:Mra:641glagV
Wishing You
Evevy 4lappiness
Thu
Holiday Season!
Let the message of that Holy Night light the way for us today, to the
blessings of lasting peace and goodwill to all men.
With appreciation for all the goodwill
you've shown us this past year.
Thanks!
Simon and Yolanda VanDriel
and staff
CLINTON 482-3783
vAxDRIE
EXCAVATING roc'
HURON PERTH
HEALTHCARE
ALLIANCE
Clinton Public Hospital
St. Marys Memorial Hospital
Seaforth (.;ommunity Hospital
Stratford General Hospital
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Hospital, we believe in the importance of family, the
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