Six trustee candidates in Pembina Trails Ward 1

Three school board trustees will be elected in Pembina Trails School Division Ward 1 on Oct. 24. The candidates are: 

• Corey Burgess lives in Charleswood with his wife and has two children attending school in Pembina Trails, something he says gives him insight into the struggles and realities of today’s classrooms. He is a graduate from the University of Manitoba and Red River College and has spent the last two decades working with community groups to develop capacity and achieve goals. Burgess has sat on several boards and is running for election in Ward 1 because he believes that "schools are important supporters of a prosperous future" and "trustees must ensure that schools remain at the heart of our community." 

• Jaime Glenat was elected as a Pembina Trails trustee in 2014 and is currently vice-chair of the board. She has served on several divisional committees including finance, communications, and the Assiniboine South Early Years Healthy Child Coalition. Glenat is running for re-election because she believes "a child’s education helps to shape their future." As a trustee, she is focused on strengthening schools and ensuring the highest quality of education possible through innovative and fiscally responsible ways, while also maintaining a strong community focus. She lives in Charleswood with her husband and two daughters and has worked as a manager for a crown corporation since 2006.

• Gerry Melnyk is running for re-election as school trustee in Pembina Trails because he "believes in communication and collaboration with school communities in an open, transparent and honest manner." He is focused on increasing student achievement while managing the division efficiently. He and his wife have lived in Charleswood for 38 years, their two children are PTSD alumni and their four grandchildren also attend schools in the division. Prior to being elected, Melnyk was an educator and long-time coach, having earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and a Coaching Excellence Award from Sport Manitoba.

• Jessica Perry grew up in Charleswood and lives in the ward with her husband and two young sons. Her children have benefitted from early years programming through Pembina Trails and Perry is running for school trustee to "promote health and safety in schools, advocate for quality education and work to support working families." She holds a degree in nursing from McGill University and has worked as a clinical education facilitator in mental health at the University of Manitoba’s College of Nursing. She currently works as a primary care nurse in St. Boniface where she focuses on patient care and community development. 

• Dianne Zuk is running for re-election in Ward 1 to "continue to work for the interests of the students and families in Charleswood." First elected in 2006, Zuk has served as board chair and has supported initiatives like "Kindergarten Here We Come" and the Pembina Trails Alternative High School. Her background  includes teaching at École Dieppe and Royal schools and serving as president of the Pembina Trails Teachers’ Association, vice-president of the Manitoba School Board Association and Assiniboine South Early Years Coalition. She and her husband are long-time Charleswood residents; they have two sons and two granddaughters. 

• Sam Zurzolo has more than a decade of local and international teaching experience. He has taught mathematics, computer science, physics, electronics and theatre at multiple grade levels and was recruited to teach English at South Korea’s Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education. If elected, Zurzolo hopes to "bring a fresh, knowledgeable voice to the Pembina Trails School Divisions’ Board of Trustees" by using his experience negotiating for the Winnipeg School Division and the Winnipeg Teachers’ Association. He holds a computer engineering technology diploma; as well as a computer science and education degree. He lives in Charleswood with his wife and three young children.

Eva Wasney
Community Journalist — The Metro

Eva Wasney is the community journalist for The Metro. Email her at eva.wasney@canstarnews.com

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