The New Westminster school board held its inaugural meeting Tuesday night and the first order of business was to unanimously vote in their new chair.
James Janzen takes the gavel from Michael Ewen and will be chairing the board that consists of three newcomers, Dave Phelan, Jonina Campbell and MaryAnn Mortensen, to go with returning trustees Ewen, Casey Cook and Lisa Graham.
"I haven't been chair for two years," said Janzen. "I am looking forward to it. Our first priority, as always, is to keep kids educated and we do want to get a project agreement signed for our new schools."
As for what he expects from the three newcomers, Janzen said: "I'm hoping they'll ask questions and jump in. We're always trying to encourage people to participate and it is a pretty steep learning curve, so we'll try and help them as best we can."
Ewen, the outgoing chair, gave a 10-minute state of the union address where he thanked senior administrators and the three outgoing trustees.
"As for our senior administrative team," said Ewen. "I feel that our community has been blessed with an enormous wealth of exceptional individuals who have dedicated their lives to improving the education of our community's children."
Ewen personally thanked John Woudzia, Brian Sommerfeldt, Al Balanuik, Janet Grant, Sandra Pace and Doug Templeton for their "brilliant leadership."
Ewen's special thanks to outgoing trustees Jim Goring, Lori Watt and Brent Atkinson was very heartfelt.
"To Jim Goring, I have always appreciated your thoughtful and focused reflection on the needs of the students and staff," said Ewen. "To Lori Watt ... I will miss those sometimes heated, but always passionate discussions that your contributed to moving the board forward."
Ewen saved his kindest words for Atkinson, an old adversary who became a valued friend.
"I cannot think of another individual who has, over the past 30-plus years, has so driven me to distraction, who I have often disagreed with and who has forced me to rethink so many positions, as Brent," said Ewen. "Over these past 30 years, I have come to respect and then delight in your commitment and drive to support and provide better service both the staff and children in this district."
Ewen will remain as vice-chair of the school board while Phelan becomes the B.C. School Trustees' Association representative for the district, with Campbell serving as the alternate.
Trustees did not address the matter of their annual stipend at Tuesday night's meeting because it was not on the agenda for the meeting.
