McBride looks back at 30 years

After serving 30 years as a trustee on the local public school board, Gord McBride is calling it quits.
“I’ve decided not to run. It’s time to give someone else the opportunity to run for the board,” he said last week.
Despite the long years that have passed, McBride still can recall his motivation for running in the first place.
“It was being interested in young people and education. Those are the two factors,” he remarked.
McBride’s own three children already had gone through the public education system when he first ran for the board.
During his three decades in office, McBride has seen some tremendous changes—both in the local system and in education in general.
“The role of the trustee is much less than it was in previous years. The ministry [of education] itself does most of your budgeting for you,” he noted.
“There was a time when the board used to set the tax rate for the district,” he added, saying trustees had to balance the tax rate with what they had negotiated for salaries with the teachers.
“The province does that now.”
When first elected 30 years ago, there were 14 or 15 trustees on the board, compared to just seven today (six elected plus one First Nations appointee).
“I find the smaller board much easier to work with,” McBride conceded.
Some of the more difficult decision he’s had to deal with as a trustee include the always controversial decisions to close schools.
“During my time, we closed seven or eight schools. Closing schools is never an easy job,” he said.
Some other challenges the board has faced over the years include building the new high school in the west end of town.
“That was a big job. It was only with the help of the community that we were able to pull that off,” he noted.
McBride spent about half of his years on the board as chair.
“I enjoyed the challenges of the chair. I like being where the action is,” he laughed.
The veteran trustee also had some advice for any newcomers to the board this year.
“Prepare to do a lot of reading about board policy and how the ministry handles things so you’re better equipped to make decisions,” he said. “Ask a lot of questions. Read. Discuss.”
The real joy of the job comes in seeing the effect you have on students, he added.
“Our main job is to set policy by which the system operates,” he explained. “It’s exciting—looking at how the system works, seeing all the young people and the teachers.
“I’m really proud of our system. I think it’s good,” McBride stressed. “We’ve got a conscientious group of teachers, principals, and administration.”
McBride’s decision not to run again elicited strong responses from his fellow trustees.
“It’s a tremendous loss to the board,” said current chair Ron McAlister, citing McBride’s “intimate knowledge” of both board and ministry policy.
“He’s a resource we’re going to miss deeply,” he added.
McAlister said he called McBride when he heard he would not be seeking re-election, and the veteran trustee told the chair to call if he ever needed any help or information.
“I have a feeling I’ll be calling,” he laughed.
“How can you say enough about him? He has given his all,” McAlister added. “I’m sorry to see him go. But I can also understand there comes a time you have to let it go.”
McBride said he would remain busy in the community, both as a member of the Fort Frances Lions Club as well as a couple of town committees. He also will continue to do his program on Shaw Cable, “Talk of the Town,” with Mayor Dan Onichuk.
“I like to be on the go,” he said.
But his experiences on the public school board will remain with him in the years to come.
“It’s been very enjoyable. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” McBride said. “I’ve met a lot of great people and had a small part in helping our education system.”