Yesterday's (December 7) Rocky View School Board meeting included a recognition of four former trustees.

Colleen Munro, Sylvia Eggerer and Bev LePeare were on hand as the board remembered their contributions over a number of terms. The board also remembered Helen Clease, who passed away over the summer.

Veteran trustees Todd Brand, Fiona Gilbert and Norma Lang spoke to their former colleagues' character and accomplishments in front of a full gallery.

Gilbert complimented LaPeare's dedication to supporting schools and students, saying it had been seen over and over again. Brand remembered how he had started his term representing Airdrie in awe of Eggerer because she was so well-known in Airdrie, and said he remains in awe of her after working closely with her. Lang said Munr had come to the board as a leader in her community, and her outside the box style of thinking had greatly benefited Rocky View. Brand also remembered Clease as a strong listener, tenacious and firm in her commitment to students and education. She was also a clear voice for school boards across the province during her time as President of the Alberta School Board Association.

While their work on the school board was remembered, the former trustees took some time to reflect themselves on their tenures.

Munro said her ten years on the board, including four as board Chair, were a great run.

"The growth that Rocky View experienced over those ten years, when you're in the middle of it, you don't really realize how astronomical it was, and I think on reflection we did a really good job of managing it."

Munro said she is now enjoying some time off while she looks for her next opportunity.

Eggerer, who has been part of Rocky View since 1980 as either a teacher, administrator or trustee, is also enjoying well-deserved time off. She said the division has grown so much during her time, and it's up to new voices to usher in the next chapter.

"There'd been a lot of changes, and it's time for new blood and new ideas and new people to step up and take over."

LaPeare is now sitting on a Provincial appeal board for Community and Social Service. She spoke fondly of her tenure on the school board.

"My time on the school board, I've loved every second of it. It was challenging, it was fun, it was frustrating, it was good. I've loved it."

As a gift, Rocky View made donations to charities near to each former trustee's heart. $250 was donated to Inclusion Alberta on behalf of LaPeare, another $250 given to the George McDougall Ride of the Mustangs on behalf of Eggerer, a third donation of $250 made to a Cochrane High School group fundraising to build a one room school house in Kenya on behalf of Munro, and another donation of $250 made to the Cochrane & Area Humane Society on behalf of Clease, who volunteered much of her time there.

 

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