Brennan and McLean named SD57’s new board chair and vice

SD57’s board of education has elected a new chair and vice chair to lead them through the next year.

Trustee Craig Brennan, who served last year as the vice chair under Rachael Weber, has taken the reigns.

Trustee Erica McLean will be his vice chair.

The board is given the chance to nominate and elect a new chair, vice chair, BC School Trustees Provincial Councillor Representative, BC Public School Employer’s Association Provincial Councillor, and their alternates, every November.

Trustee Corey Antrim nominated Weber to be the chair again, but Weber declined.

“I appreciate the trust you have shown me as the board chair over the last year. However, after careful consideration, I have decided I will not be putting my name forward to serve as chair in the 2023-24 school year,” Weber said, citing her higher political aspirations with the BC Conservative party as the reason why.

Weber, in turn, nominated Craig Brennan.

“A high quality public education system is the foundation for a democratic society,” Brennan said before the vote. “I believe the position of chairperson is about positively influencing people to reach now heights.”

He was voted in over Trustee Sarah Holland, who was nominated by Trustee Shar McCrory. This means at least two of McLean, Antrim, and Bob Thompson voted for Brannan.

McCrory again nominated Holland to take the role of Vice Chair. McLean, who was chosen for the role, was nominated by Antrim, meaning Brennan, Thompson, and Weber were the deciding votes.

“Humility, a hunger for growth and change, and gratitude” were the three values McLean espoused prior to being voted in.

Weber was nominated and chosen as the BC School Trustees Provincial Councillor over Shar McCrory, and Antrim was named her alternate – also over McCrory.

Weber and Antrim were also selected as the BC Public School Employer’s Association representative and alternate and were unopposed. Both Holland and McCrory cited conflicts of interest with the responsibility.