Kevin Keating is a veteran of the public school system governance roles and he indicated earlier this summer he was willing to seek re-election, but wasn’t certain as to what area he felt most comfortable in serving.
Keating is currently on the South East Cornerstone Public School Division’s board of trustees as a representative for Subdivision 3. That term expires with the upcoming general civic elections coming up on Oct. 26.
“I used to represent Subdivision 4, which is the region close to Estevan and includes Weldon School in Bienfait and others close by. I am looking forward to representing that area again,” he said.
The Subdivision 4 seat will not have an incumbent since current serving member, Shirley Wheeler, announced in August she would be retiring from that position.
Keating said he contemplated throwing his hat into the ring as a City of Estevan representative with one of Estevan’s representatives, Janet Foord, announcing earlier she would not be seeking re-election due to a pending move to central Saskatchewan.
But, after due consideration, Keating said he felt he could best serve as a representative from one of the rural areas since that is where he has earned his current status as a Cornerstone board veteran.
“I have been on this board for seven years and I am hoping I can continue to serve. I have grandchildren either already in the system, or about to enter it and I would like to work, not only for them, but for all the children in our public school division,” Keating said.
He added that since he had 23 years of experience as a maintenance supervisor with the City of Estevan and with the Cornerstone school division, the knowledge he gained has served him well on the decision-making front when it came down to discussions such as facility needs.
“I have personally worked in about 80 per cent of the schools in this division, so I know these schools very well,” he said, suggesting he knew not only some details about the physical structures but also how they are administered and populated by eager students and educators.
His business experience includes ownership of two companies based out of Manor and Estevan, which gives him a unique perspective on the business side of school division projects as well, he said.
“I recently completed a professional directors course which helps a tremendous amount on the governance side of the school division’s business plan,” he said.
Keating said he felt well qualified to represent the interests of public school division taxpayers.
