LRSD Ward 3 trustee byelection set for Oct. 25

Southeast

The upcoming byelection for the vacant trustee position in Louis Riel School Division’s Ward 3 will be held on Oct. 25. Three candidates are in the running.

Peter Bjornson, 61, is an instructor and the co-ordinator of practicum for the Access Program in the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg. He previously taught at Gimli High School, was the MLA for Gimli, and served in several cabinet roles in the provincial NDP government, including Minister of Education and Advanced Learning.

“I have 30 years of experience in public service and education, and these have always been passions of mine,” said Bjornson, who lives in River Park South in Ward 3 and whose three children attended LRSD schools.

“As education minister, I visited more than 500 schools, and I bring a wealth of experience in that regard.”

Bjornson said he’s worked closely with governance issues, school boards, and treasury boards in his career: “These experiences have helped me see things through a critical lens, including how to best use funds and the best possible impact of this.”

He emphasized the division-wide importance of increased capacity for French immersion learning, and making sure the LRSD attracts and retains teachers. He also said its key to ensure student success and well-being by providing the best resources available, and strengthening partnership with parents, teachers and the wider community.

Susanne Dandenault, 55, is a lawyer who also has a distinguished sporting pedigree — a Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame inductee who competed in international weightlifting events, including the world championships and the Pan Am Games. She’s also a multiple national champion.

“I spent six years as a student in LRSD schools,” said Dandenault, who lives in River Park South in Ward 3, noting her both her husband and two children also grew up studying in schools in the division.

“This is my opportunity to give back to the division for all its support for me and my family. I want learners and staff to succeed, just like I felt they were succeeding for me.”

The Glenlawn Collegiate alumna said her skill set enables her “to be effective from a few perspectives,” including her governance roles such as serving as chair of the parent advisory council at École St. Germain, board chair of Sport Manitoba, and finance committee member of the Canadian Bar Association.

She noted that experience with policy making, financial management, and setting and operating budgets should all come in useful, not least when working on school division budgets. Her division-wide priorities for the division include physical, mental and digital safety, and a focus on infrastructure, especially aging school buildings.

Ben Fisher, 41, is a service agent with the federal government, and he has some ideas about approaching the role of trustee.

“I have some insights that I’ve observed and thought about,” said Fisher, who lives in River Park South and has three young children in the LRSD system.

“It’s important to think about solutions to challenges, and this could be the funding model or how the division is organized. It’s important to keep an eye on that, and have an action plan for it.”

Fisher emphasized the fact that his kids will be attending division schools for years to come, meaning he will be invested in the process for at least the next decade.

“I have three kids in the division, so I’m invested and focused. My kids will be in the system for the next decade-plus, so I’m in it for the long haul, and I’ve been out there and active.”

Fisher said his priorities for the ward include sustainable change and ecosystems, as well as an effective funding model, which maximises the infrastructure and resources available.

This includes the idea of sustainable funding models, such as schools with new kitchens facilities potentially becoming “dual-use facilities” with an eye on “cost recovery” by sharing their facilities when school’s out.