Arlene Hrynyk will be spending another school year in the head chair.
During the Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 8, Hrynyk was re-elected as chair of the board of trustees. Michael Topylki will also be returning as board vice-chair.
"Keeping with the philosophy that if it's not broke, don't fix it, I'll nominate Arlene," board member Ron Young said during nominations for board chair.
Hrynyk ran unopposed for the position, and was pleased to have been selected for another term.
"I sincerely appreciate it. I'll tell you the same thing I tell you every time I've ever been fortunate enough to serve as the chair, or vice-chair, on your behalf. I may not always do everything right, but I'll do my very best," she expressed.
She added, "I'm honoured that you entrust me to do your work, and again, I'll do it to the best of my ability. I'm looking forward to a great year together."
This will be Hrynyk's sixth term as a trustee, and she has held the chair or vice-chair position throughout her time on the board. She credited her history with NLPS for her re-election, and saw it as her "penance for the longer you're around, you have a better understanding of the governance functioning of the board and how to assist your colleagues in deploying out their wishes that we work together to develop."
This year, she's looking forward to unpacking ideas the board has to make their school division a better place for children to learn and the best ways to engage the communities they serve.
Board member Mandi Skogen followed Young's example and nominated former vice-chair Topylki for the position.
He accepted the nomination, and was elected after running unopposed.
"Thank you for showing confidence in allowing me to do what I do, and hopefully we have a great year. I think there are a lot of great things coming, it's always exciting," he said.
This will be his second term as vice-chair. Hyrnyk said she is thrilled to work alongside him once again.
"I would be remiss to not say what a pleasure it has been the last year to work with Michael," she said. "Michael stepped into the position as a more recent trustee into the leadership position, but Michael is always quick to step in, to assist the chair in functions, and certainly serves in a stronger capacity in advisory."
The modernization of Bonnyville Centralized High School is a project Topylki is particularly looking forward to, and continuing on with the work the board already has in motion.
