By Jeff Labine

Public school board to hold byelection

Jul 14, 2017 | 2:00 PM

The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division is planning to hold a byelection following the death of a long-standing school board trustee.

George McHenry served on the local school board for decades and had the distinction of being the first principal at W.J. Berezowski and Vickers schools. During last year’s election, he reclaimed his seat on the board with 2,248 votes.

McHenry died on June 12 surrounded by family. He was 75.

Director of Education Robert Bratvold called McHenry a great trustee who showed a lot of leadership.

“He was a really level headed and really in it for kids and making things best for kids,” he said. “He was willing to make tough decisions but really compassionate. He will be missed. It’s tough. Certainly, there’s no comparison to the loss his family will feel but he had lots of respect, credibility and friends in our division.”

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Bratvold said whenever someone is assigned to a new school like McHenry was, there’s a lot of pressure on them to ensure the school is well established. He said McHenry was able to accomplish this task not once but twice.

The public school division has requested city council look at holding the byelection on Oct. 26 starting at 9 a.m. Voting will be open to all Prince Albert residents as McHenry was an in-city board trustee. There will be four polling stations located at Westview, Princess Margaret, John Diefenbaker and Arthur Pechey.

An advance poll will be held on Oct. 19.

During the last election, 12 candidates ran with the top five taking a seat at the board. Bratvold said those candidates who ran in 2016 will have to fill out their paperwork again this time around. 

Council is expected to discuss the byelection at Monday night’s meeting.

Jeff.labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter