After a three year absence, Jackie Swainson has announced she’s again going to run for a position on Chinook’s Edge School Division’s board of trustees.
She represented the Sylvan Lake area on the board for 12 years before deciding not to run in the last election.
“I had some personal family plans with my daughter Jessica,” she said of that decision. “We’ve accomplished them, she’s built a fabric and jewellery boutique business on the farm.”
Another reason for getting involved again is that she has two grandchildren entering the school system this fall, one in pre-Kindergarten and another in Kindergarten. “I’m back to having a vested interest in schools.”
Swainson said she’s “really, really concerned about the lack of profile we have in Sylvan Lake for our schools. We should be leaders, we should be out there more.”
She decided to announce her candidacy now because every time she comes to town someone asks if she would run again.
Swainson currently serves on the Olds College board of governors. “That gives me a unique perspective for working with Kindergarten to Grade 12 and transitioning into post-secondary. Some of the plans and goals of post-secondary have been changing. (That knowledge) will be a more valuable asset that I didn’t have before, I’m really enjoying it.”
Before stepping down in 2010, Swainson spent 12 years on the school board, six of those as vice chairman. She was chair of the negotiating committee for 10 years and served for six years on the Alberta School Boards Association representing this area, the last three as a director.
She added, “the last three years I’ve been having fun being a grandma”.
Current school board trustee Joe-Anne Matejka announced she’s seeking another term during the unveiling of the Stockholm sign at Burnt Lake Community Centre, June 20. At that time she told the audience she’ll also be running for the county council seat being vacated by George Gehrke who’s not seeking re-election.