The New Westminster district parent advisory council elected a new executive on June 17.
The parent council has representatives from schools throughout the district. John Robson Elementary parent Beth Ott is the new chair, Maya Russell from Richard McBride Elementary is vice-chair, Herbert Spencer Elementary parent Heather Burke is treasurer and Heather Patterson from the homelearners' program is the secretary. New Westminster Secondary School parent Wendy Harris is past-chair.
At the June 18 board of education meeting, board chair Michael Ewen and the board congratulated Ott on her new role.
Hibbins, district consultant, has passed away
At the same board meeting, chair Michael Ewen acknowledged the passing of Doug Hibbins, a consultant hired by the province to help with the district's bid to build new schools.
Hibbins was also appointed in 2006 to provide recommendations on school district-operated business companies to the ministry.
Ewen described Hibbins as a "good friend" to the district.
"He was well-respected, I enjoyed fighting with him," Ewen said, tongue-in-cheek.
Sixty-six-year-old Hibbins passed away from pancreatic cancer on June 14.
He worked right up until the day before he passed away, Ewen said.
Hibbins' obituary in the Times Columnist said, "He was a wonderful and devoted husband, outstanding father and an exceptional poppy to his grandson."
Hibbins had an engineering degree and worked for the Penticton school district for many years.
In 1989, he joined the Ministry of Education in Victoria and served as assistant deputy minister education, and later as senior vice-president of the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority.
In 1999, he founded Trillium Business Strategies, which provided solutions and advice on infrastructure and education projects throughout the province, including in New Westminster.
Ewen said he plans to attend the memorial service for Hibbins on behalf of the district.
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