Sam Odrowski
The incoming trustees for the Rainy River District School Board feature mostly fresh faces, with only two incumbents being re-elected Monday.
David Kircher and Raymond Roy will be back to fill the two trustee seats for Fort Frances-Mine Centre.
Former trustee John Fuhrer (Emo-Chapple-Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls) is back on the board having served in the 90s.
But two newcomers Kathryn Pierroz (Alberton-La Vallee) and Jeff Lehman (Atikokan) both won their election bids.
Fellow newcomer David Loewen was acclaimed to the seat serving Dawson-Lake of the Woods-Morley-Rainy River.
Pierroz is excited to get started in her new role and provide a fresh perspective to the local public school board.
“It is an honour to sit with that group at the table,” she enthused.
“I think that we all bring our own perspectives to the group and I’m looking forward to working with all of them.”
Pierroz said she’s eager to start making a positive impact on public education.
“My goal first and foremost is . . . to focus on the betterment of the entire community and really, at the end of the day, that starts in our school system,” she reasoned.
“We have 14 wonderful schools in this district and when we empower those students there to thrive, to achieve, and to do better, we really reap those benefits as an entire district.”
Pierroz is a third-generation school board trustee, with her dad, Dan, having served on school boards here in Rainy River District and her grandfather serving on boards elsewhere in the province.
She also is proud to be the only women sitting at the board table–and felt having a female perspective is important.
“I’m really humbled by the trust and support that my constituents put on me,” she remarked.
The main goal Pierroz intends on achieving is creating and continuing inclusive, positive, modern, and safe public education for all students.
She is focused on creating strong support systems for students and employees, as well.
“I think one of the things that I bring is . . . my belief in evidence-based decision-making,” Pierroz said.
“I try to look at everything from all angles, and get opinions from all stakeholders across the board, before really diving into how a decision affects our schools, our systems, and our students.”
Having campaigned door-to-door in Alberton and La Vallee, Pierroz said she’s developed a good understanding of the issues the community wants to see addressed.
“Overall, it’s important to listen and take in what our community members are saying, what our teachers are saying, and what are students are saying,” she noted.
“That’s a huge part of that puzzle.
“It’s not just sitting at a table with the door closed making decisions as a group,” she stressed.
“It’s bringing in everybody else to really uplift and help our community thrive.”
Pierroz is thankful to everyone who voted for her in the election and is thrilled to begin her role with the board.
“I’m really excited to be a part of that process and I’m looking forward to the next four years,” she enthused.
Fuhrer, meanwhile, also is eager to begin working with the board and grateful to have been elected by his community to serve.
“Thank you for placing your trust and confidence in my abilities to assume the position as school board trustee,” he said.
“I am looking forward to working with the rest of the trustees as a team.”
