Huron Expositor, 2006-12-13, Page 11News
The Huron Expositor • Decembor_13, 2006 Pop 11
North Perth trustee Jenny Versteeg becomes
chair of Avon Maitland District School Board
Stew Slater
Four-year chair Meg Westley of
Stratford paved the way for her vice
chair to take her place in 2007, by
decliningto allow her name to
stand for nomination at the Avon
Maitland District School Board's
inaugural meeting last week.
Jenny Versteeg of R.R. 2 Gorrie,
newly re-elected in the only trustee
race in Huron and Perth Counties
during last month's municipal elec-
tion, will now serve as chair.
"I am deeply grateful for all of
your support," Westley toldfellow
trustees, in explaining her reasons
not to let her name stand.
"But four years is a long time and
I think a change will be beneficial . .
. I have complete confidence in
Jenny Versteeg and in her abilities
to lead this board."
Speaking to reporters after the
meeting, the outgoing chair added
she felt those abilities had grown
during Versteeg's 2006 tenure as
Avon Maitland vice chair.
Previous to that, the North Perth
trustee also served as the board's
delegate to the Ontario Public
School Boards' Association
(OPSBA).
In her first address as chair,
Versteeg credited Westley for lead-
ing the board through
years which immediately
followed the resolution
of a divisive decision to
close Seaforth District
High School.
During that time,
another potentially
divisive issue -- the
relocation of Stratford's
Grades 7 and 8 stu-
dents into secondary
school settings -- was
dealt with, but with
Westley actively partici-
pating within her own
trustee ward, the tran-
sition has so far been
smooth._
"I'm proud and
amazed at how smoothly
things have gone in the three years
since I first
joined the board,
and I realize
how much of
that smoothness
can be attrib-
uted to chair
Westley,"
Versteeg com-
mented.
The incoming
chair couldn't
promise the
the four same - over
Bence in Jen
Versteeg and in
her abilities to
lead this
board,' --
Outgoing Avon
Maitland school
board chair
Meg Westley
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the next four years
(Versteeg's term as
chair lasts only one
year, but the
November municipal
election marked the
first time trustees
were elected for terms
of four years instead
of three).
She noted the board
is committed to
launching an accom-
modation review
process that could
potentially lead to
school closures, and
there are also a con-
siderable number of
Avon Maitland staff
members who may
retire in the near future.
Still, she pledged to "remember
that the sole reason we exist is to
educate children ... I believe in a
strong public education system that
is available to everyone, and in the
advantages of kids learning about,
and accepting each other as they
are."
Versteeg comes from a dairy farm-
ing family, including her husband
Art and four children -- the
youngest of whom is a student at
Listowel District Secondary School.
Also at the Dec. 5 meeting, long-
time North Huron trustee Colleen
Schenk was elected 2007 vice chair,
defeating South Huron counterpart
Randy Wagler.
And Stratford's Doug Pratley
resumed his role as OPSBA dele-
gate, defeating Perth East trustee
Tina Traschel.
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