Eleven candidates are running for school board trustee positions. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

Sask Rivers School Board Nominees

Sask. Rivers finalizes list of candidates for school board trustee positions

Oct 15, 2020 | 4:00 PM

The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division has finalized their list of candidates for school board trustee positions. There are eleven candidates running for five seats.

This article highlights six candidates. We will run another article on the other five candidates in the days to come.

Returning trustee, Arne Lindberg has sat on the board since 2008 and is looking to be re-elected once more. Prior to sitting on the school board, Lindberg served four terms on city council.

Lindberg says his experience will help navigate the school board through the pandemic.

Arne Lindberg has served on the school board since 2008. (Submitted photo/Arne Lindberg)

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“We have to provide the best model possible under all the constraints we’re experiencing,” Lindberg told paNOW. “I know the board we are currently working with has laid some groundwork for the future. I’m confident [the next board] will be able to maintain and most likely improve the education model were currently providing.”

A first-time nominee is Alan Nunn. Nunn previously worked for the school division for 34 years, part of which as superintendent.

Alan Nunn retired after a career of 42 years in education. (Submitted photo/Alan Nunn)

“We have to continue to deal with COVID and deliver the best type of education we can under these circumstances,” Nunn said.

Nunn added one of the biggest upcoming challenges he would like to address will be the finances, impacted by the pandemic, and working with the money that is there to maximize the learning for students in the division.

Another candidate throwing their name in the hat for the first time is Cherise Arnesen. Arnesen currently sits on a provincial board and helps represent Saskatchewan interests nationally.

Cherise Arnesen has taught in small town Saskatchewan, as well as in Saskatoon, and internationally. (Submitted photo/Cherise Arnesen)

Arnesen is also a former teacher from around Saskatchewan, out of province, and internationally.

“The thing front and centre on everyone’s mind obviously is the pandemic and keeping our city’s students safe,” Arnesen said. “That will require good communication within the executive team and will require the ability to be highly adaptable and pivot quickly.”

A former student mentor within the school division, Conrad Burns is another first-time nominee looking to become a trustee.

Conrad Burns is a nominee for the first-time. (Submitted photo/Conrad Burns)

“There are 13 recommendations across Canada to increase the graduation rate for aboriginal people,” Burns said. “By introducing and ensuring these mandates are included in our school division we can break down barriers, help our students become better people, better prepared for life, and accept who they are as individuals.”

Crystal Clarke is also running as a candidate for the first time. Since moving to P.A. in 2009, Clarke has been involved with community sports and organizations as a volunteer, coach, and board member.

Crystal Clarke has experience working with community boards for over ten years in P.A. (Submitted photo/Crystal Clarke)

“I have been actively reading the school board minutes since the last election. I believe my experience from provincial board governance will help support what is happening here in the school division,” Clarke said. “I am interested in having an active voice at the table to represent French immersion, safe transportation, and the culture and language that is relevant to our area.”

Heather Carter is one more candidate running for the first-time. Carter has years of experience working as a teacher in Saskatchewan, and serving on a board of directors in P.A.

Heather Carter has a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Leadership for Inclusionary Practice and Indigenous Pedagogy. (Submitted photo/Heather Carter)

“With the onset of COVID and the different statistics reflecting graduation rates in our province I thought it is a good time for me to give back to the city and our students, in other ways than teaching,” Carter explained.

The election is being held on Nov. 9.

In the coming days paNOW will bring you more of the school trustee candidates in both the Roman Catholic Separate School Division and Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division.

Editors note: This story was amended to reflect a change to Cherise Arnesen not Arnensen as previously reported.

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8