Carol Flynn was re-elected chairwoman of the South East Cornerstone Public School Division on Thursday afternoon when the trustees held their annual re-organizational meeting in the school division's central office in Weyburn.
Estevan trustee Pam Currie was re-elected vice-chairwoman by the 10-member board that represents 38 school facilities spread out over a large expanse of southeast Saskatchewan.
The board made no changes to their $220 per diem pay based on an eight hour work session and the chair was voted one additional per diem per month to accommodate the additional workload and time that is spent on division-related issues.
The travel compensation formula remained the same but was updated to represent the new transportation cost realities.
Before the re-organizational meeting, the trustees welcomed a delegation from Pangman for the second consecutive month. The community had been informed earlier that their school was on a review list for potential closure in 2012, but the board wanted to base their decision on best information and only after hearing from the community and its leaders.
With that mandate in mind, the town's economic development delegation presented the trustees with some information on the community's current state of business and expected growth. They also sought more information regarding the school review processes and policies, which was provided.
Flynn said that the trustees are still attempting to arrange a meeting with the five MLAs who represent constituencies that are embraced by the Cornerstone divisional boundaries.
"That would be the five MLAs from the southeast part of the province as well as the education minister, Donna Harpauer," said Flynn.
She said that on a positive note, the trustees received word that the provincial government will be setting up a consultation process with various school divisions around the province with regards to their surprising pre-election campaign promise to never start a new school year before Labour Day, each and every year.
"At least they are agreeing to consult with us. It was an important decision that they made, but I read it as a good thing that they're now willing to talk with us about it," Flynn said.
