The person who has represented Kamsack, Norquay and Pelly on the school board for the past 19 years will not be seeking re-election.
Bryan Cottenie of Kamsack, who has represented the area on the board of the Kamsack School Division and then with subsequent amalgamations, on the Eastland Lakes School Division and the Good Spirit School Division, and has served as chair of the Eastland Lakes and Good Spirit school divisions, said “it is time to let someone else” represent the area on the board.
In addition to serving on the school board, Cottenie has served on Kamsack town council for six years and has been active on several committees. He is still active with Affinity Credit Union.
“I would like to thank the electors in my subdivision for their support throughout the years,” Cottenie said. “My wife and my two boys were key supporters of me while I was away from home so often.
“My main philosophy is that you must work together as a board to make things work. The formation years of Good Spirit, with five boards amalgamating were very difficult as each tried to protect its turf. Only when working together were we able to have a wonderful school division.
“Personal agendas do not work,” he said, adding if one wishes to be nominated for the school board his or her number one priority must be “present and future students.
“You will benefit by huge personal growth and by meeting many, many great people.”
Cottenie said that anyone wishing to let his or her name stand in the election may contact him if he or she has any questions about the position.
The call for nominations will be made no later than September 6, with the nomination date being September 21. A second call for nominations, if needed, will be on September 23, with the second nomination date being October 5. Voting is set for October 26, which is the same date ballots will be cast for municipal elections across Saskatchewan.
The Good Spirit School Division elects 11 board members for four-year terms. Three members represent the City of Yorkton.
“Elections are an integral part of the democratic process to ensure that all areas of our division are equally represented,” said information on the division’s website. “In this way, ratepayers have input through the ‘power of the pen’ to elect who they feel will best represent them at the board table.
“Playing a role on the board of education means becoming a part of 28 school communities and experiencing the feelings of honour and privilege that it involves.”
