Jaimie Smith-Windsor served as a Trustee for 11 years and is now the new Vice President for the Saskatchewan School Board Association. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Board)

By Dawson Thompson

Moving up

New Vice President elected for the Saskatchewan School Board Association

Dec 4, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The Saskatchewan School Board Association elected a new vice-president at their most recent Annual General Meeting.

The new Vice President, Jaimie Smith-Windsor had been a Trustee with the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division for the past 11 years.

She has served on the Saskatchewan Rivers Students for Change Board Development committee, Employee Bargaining Committees, as well as several ad hoc board committees. Prior to this appointment, she also served as the Central Constituency Representative of the SSBA for two terms.

“I think the role of the SSBA is to provide a platform for local voice in education,” Smith-Windsor said in an interview with paNOW. “My role on the provincial executive is to amplify that voice and ensure local-voice in education is heard.”

Smith-Windsor explained there are 27 elected boards of education in Saskatchewan. Each board and community have unique needs to deliver education to students. She said it is up to the boards to find opportunities to deliver education that is responsive to local needs.

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According to Smith-Windsor, being elected to the position during the pandemic brings not only challenges, but opportunity for change as well.

“A challenge that existed before the pandemic and will exist afterwards is the question of what does an appropriately resourced classroom look like?” Smith-Windsor said. “Investment in education and innovation are top priorities for boards right now and that will continue to be a focus.

“A lot of those innovations are locally driven. What innovation looks like in a division in the South may look very different in a division in the North. I expect in the aftermath of the pandemic we are going to face some fiscal challenges, so continuing to look at that idea of investment is going to be critical.”

Smith-Windsor said she is proud of how students and staff have shifted to explore new ways to allow for learning in a safe school environment.

“There have been some significant shifts in how education is delivered, and we will have to continue to look at that. The biggest focus right now is the health and safety of students. I think boards have done a very good job at creating plans that prioritize health and safety as number one,” Smith-Windsor said. “Our schools continue to be safe places for students to come to learn, thrive, and belong.”

Smith-Windsor added the provincial education plan is currently being renewed, setting big goals for education moving forward. She explained boards have done extensive community consultation, asking the question ‘What is your vision for education?’ to staff, students, and community members.

A highlight from the most recent board meeting says the board submitted a local resolution which was approved by the Saskatchewan School Board’s Association that calls on the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Government Relations to review and renew the Local Government Elections Act and Regulations with the intent of creating more opportunities for the election and participation of Indigenous school board trustees.

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8