MOOSE JAW — To introduce candidates prior to the Wednesday, Nov. 13, school board election, Prairie South School Division (PSSD) No. 210 held a candidates’ forum where 10 out of the 11 total candidates were given the opportunity to discuss key education issues and introduce themselves.
The candidates’ forum was held at the A.E. Peacock Collegiate auditorium on the evening of Oct. 21.
“Education is a key issue in both the provincial election and the local school board election,” declared Patty Mergel, president of the Prairie South Teachers’ Association during her introductory remarks.
“Tonight is an opportunity for us to hear from the trustee candidates in Subdivision 1 which includes the communities of Central Butte, Chaplain, Craik, Eyebrow, and Mortlach… (and from) candidates in Subdivision 6, which includes all Moose Jaw schools…,” she announced.
In Subdivision 6, which entails Moose Jaw’s schools, there are nine total candidates running for five available spots.
These nine candidates are:
- Abdul Alabi
- Kursty Bansley
- Patrick Boyle
- Ron Gorham
- Brett Hagan
- Mary Jukes
- Brian Martynook (absent)
- Tenielle McLeod
- Lew Young
The candidates’ forum was moderated by Craig Hemingway, the acting director of strategic growth for the City of Moose Jaw. His role during the forum was to regulate the discussion and keep each candidate on a time schedule.
Each candidate was allotted two minutes for an opening, closing, and for each question they are asked. Each candidate was pre-drawn through a random selection process to determine the speaking order.
Each of the candidates were then asked to answer two multi-part questions: “What are the biggest challenges in education and how will you address them,” and “What are your top three budget priorities for the school division?”
Where to vote
For Moose Jaw residents voting in Subdivision 6, voting will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at four poll locations that will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
These poll locations include:
- Poll Location No. 1: Voters north of Thatcher Drive and east of Eleventh Avenue Northwest can vote at the Golden Nugget Centre, located at 250 Thatcher Drive East.
- Poll Location No. 2: Voters on the northeast side of Moose Jaw can vote at the Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre, located at 235 Third Avenue Northeast.
- Poll Location No. 3: Remaining voters on the north side of the city can vote at the Minto United Church, located at 1036 Seventh Avenue Northwest.
- Poll Location No. 4: South Hill voters can vote at the Church of Our Lady, located at 566 Vaughan Street.
Advanced polling for Subdivision 6 will take place exclusively at the Golden Nugget Centre, located at 250 Thatcher Drive East. Advanced polls will open at the following times:
- Tuesday, Oct. 29: From noon to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 30: From noon to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 2: From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 4: From noon to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 5: From noon to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 7: From noon to 6 p.m.
You can view a complete recording of the candidates’ forum online through the “Candidates’ Forum Recording” link at PrairieSouth.ca/Elections.
To view a list of the PSSD candidates visit PrairieSouth.ca/2024-Election-Candidates-Profiles.
For more information about the upcoming school board elections, visit PrairieSouth.ca/Elections.
The upcoming school board election will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
