Public school supporters elect mixed board

Good Spirit School Division (GSSD) will have a mix of experienced trustees and new blood.

In Yorkton, six candidates, one incumbent, two former trustees and three newcomers competed for three Yorkton-at-large seats.

Gordon Gendur retained his seat with the most votes at 1,532 followed by Steve Variyan with 1,284 and Jan Morrison with 1,067.

Variyan is the director of training and development for Maple Farm Equipment and a sessional lecturer for the University of Regina and Parkland College.

Morrison is the Gallagher Centre’s event manager and has a background in youth care and child welfare.

Lenore Pinder, who served on the GSSD board from 2009-2012 came in fourth with 980 votes.

Raymond Sass, a 10-year trustee from 2002-2012 also failed in his bid to return to the board coming in fifth with 935 votes. Laurie-Anne Rusnak was just three votes behind Sass.

Of the eight other Good Spirit seats, five trustees were acclaimed. Lois Smandych, the chair going into the election will once again represent Subdivision 5: Saltcoats, Churchbridge, Langenburg and area.

Jade Anderson replaces by acclamation the former vice-chair D.J. Cairns in Subdivision 7: Esterhazy Stockholm and area.

Also acclaimed were Christopher Balyski (Subdivision 2: Preeceville, Sturgis), Shannon Leson (Subdivision 3: Canora, Invermay) and Gilda Goduchie for the Key First Nation (Subdivision 8).

Of those who had to campaign for a seat, the winners prevailed comfortably.

In Melville, Grayson and area (Subdivision 6) incumbent Bob Simpson easily held his position against challenger Rebecca Perra by 445 to 200 votes.

In Subdivision 1: Kamsack, Norquay, Pelly and area Jaime Johnson defeated Janice Derwores 336 to 188.

Finally, Florence Stachura was re-elected to represent Springside, Calder (Subdivision 4) over Evan Simpson 150-97.

The election results became official as of Noon, October 28.

The Good Spirit trustees will be sworn in at an organizational meeting November 3.