Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools will have a contended election in Yorkton. There are five candidates running for the four separate school board seats representing the city of Yorkton. Three are incumbents Jerome Niezgoda, Dwayne Todas and Patricia Zaryski. The only current Yorkton trustee not running is Doreen Rathgeber. The two new candidates are Sheri-Lynne Federowich, a retired RCMP officer, and Jenny Zarowny.
There are four people running for three Melville city seats. Two of them are the current chair and vice chair Lisa Rathgeber and Theresa Wilson. The other Melville incumbent, Del Killick, is stepping down. Two others, Angie Rogalski (who currently represents Melville rural) and Brian Hicke will also challenge for one of the three Melville city positions.
In Yorkton rural, Dwight Guy is acclaimed as the only candidate.
Nobody had stepped up to fill the Melville rural and Theodore openings as of the September 26 deadline so nominations were reopened until October 6 for those two seats. In Theodore, incumbent Erin Gibson agreed to return and was acclaimed. Rural Melville will be represented by Monique Chaban, who was also acclaimed. Below are brief bios of the Yorkton candidates.
Sheri-Lynne Fedorowich
Sheri-Lynne Fedorowich is a recently retired RCMP officer (Sergeant) who served for more than 24 years in various postings in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Now a licenced funeral director and embalmer and is an online distance education instructor for Red River College in Winnipeg.
From 2008 until 2014, she was the Yorkton city detachment’s operations NCO and then detachment commander of the Yorkton rural detachment. During the past two years she was the Melville detachment’s operations NCO and liaison/school resource officer for St. Henry’s Senior School.
She has always actively volunteered in service clubs and coaching positions over the past decades.
Her father, Bernie Fedorowich was a serving separate school board member for many terms.
Fedorowich remains active in St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic parish and says she is committed to promoting the betterment of the Christian faith by becoming a contributing school board member.
Jerome Niezgoda
A 25-year resident of Yorkton and member of St. Gerard’s Parish, Niezgoda and his wife Barb have four adult Daughters, all living in Yorkton.
He has been a trustee for 16 years and says he would be honoured to serve another four years.
“With the current challenges of fiscal constraint and ‘transformational change’ it may seem like the time to quit, “ he says. ‘However, I am committed to continue my work as a trustee to help influence the direction of the change so that students will benefit and to support strong educational programming permeated by our Catholic teachings and values.”
Niezgoda believes his experience both at the local and provincial levels, as well as recent completion of a four-module director certification training program provides gives him the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to the success of students in Christ the Teacher Catholic Schools.
Dwayne Todas
As a former graduate of Sacred Heart High School, Dwayne Todas says he believes in providing a quality education to all who desire to have a relationship with God by learning the teachings of Jesus Christ. He deems Catholic Schools to be unique in educating the whole child: body, mind and spirit.
Todas has been being actively involved in spreading God’s word through working with students and families for more than 25 years.
Professionally, Todas has dedicated 20 years to social work via the Child Protection/Family Services branch, and the adult justice system. He is an active coach for Sacred Heart Saints Football (28 years) and has served as a Catholic School Board member for 11 years.
Todas says he is dedicated in continuing to provide the community with a quality, faith based education system while balancing fiscal responsibility.
“This will be accomplished by supporting families, students and teachers with a strong divisional strategic plan focusing on early learning; faith outcomes; improved graduation rate; enhanced reading, writing and math achievement; and supports for learning,” he says.
Patricia Zaryski
Patricia Zaryski is a nine-year member of the Catholic school board. Her family has been in Yorkton 16 years with two daughters who attended Catholic schools. She says she has always been very involved in the school system. She is a member of St Gerard’s Parish.
“I feel following my faith helps me fulfil my duties as a trustee with Christ The Teacher,” she says. “I have seen many changes over the past nine years in the roles and duties of trustees, but our mission for schools have always remain true, and that is that our students come first.”
Jenny Zarowny
Jenny Zarowny, a 10-year Yorkton resident has two young children currently enrolled at St. Paul’s school. Her eldest child graduated from Sacred Heart High School this year with her bilingual diploma.
Zarowny says her family is very active at St Gerard’s Parish where she is a member of the Catholic Women’s League, the children’s liturgy coordinator and where she assists in leading the Come Join Us at the Table program.
Her children are altar servers, lectors, and assist at school for their liturgies as well.
“I have a firm belief that a good foundation for children is faith and education,” she says. “I am passionate about ensuring that as a parent I can help all students get a quality education that is guided by our faith. I want to be the voice of the concerns from students, teachers and parents with issues in the education system.”
