Update: Four nominees vie for SE Cornerstone school division board

Four people have officially entered the race for two positions on the South East Cornerstone School Division's board of trustees.

As the election approaches on Oct. 26, Discover Weyburn will be speaking with all four candidates.

Bruce Wagner

Bruce Wagner served three terms on the South East Cornerstone School Division, and is looking to gain a seat back on the board after being defeated last term.

Wagner said his past experience will be an asset, as well as previous experience on a rural municipality council, farming and local business. He currently helps with his son's landscaping business.

"The things that we can work with and do something about, I think it's very important that we do," he told Discover Weyburn.

"To prepare all of the students, so that they can be the best they can be as they are going through school and when they get out of school, moving onto further education."

Wagner said it's rewarding working with the kids of the school division and has a focus of helping children with special needs. He hopes to find better funding for support services for these students.

Initiatives: Obtain funding for support services; working in conjunction with other ministries, such as the Ministry of Health; upgrading infrastructure in local schools.

Brandon Tichkowsky

Brandon Tichkowsky previously served on the South East Cornerstone School Division board of trustees, before the 2006 amalgamation. He said he enjoyed his time, which is a key reason for him wanting to serve again.

"I see that there's a job that needs to be done and I want to step up and help take care of that," he told Discover Weyburn.

Tichkowsky has more than 20 years of experience with construction and currently works for Minard's Steadfast Homes. He tries to be heavily involved in the community, through various committees and volunteer hours coaching local sports teams.

Tichkowsky said school boards across the country are facing challenges and he wants to help bring stability to local families and teachers.

"This is our school and I think we need to have solutions and ideas that represent who we are."

Initiatives: Finding solutions in a softened economy; represent the larger community; find solutions to avoid pay cuts and tax increases for teachers and families.

Melanie Sorensen

Melanie Sorensen is the office manager for the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation. Sorensen has previously served as a controller in the oil fields and will be celebrating 25 years as an accountant.

"I'm running for school board because I do want to get involved in my community," she told Discover Weyburn.

"I think it's very important that we all take our turn in stepping up and helping out the community in whatever way we can."

Sorensen is running for the first time for a position on the school board, and believes she can bring a fresh perspective to the table.

"I just want to make sure those those that are operating within the school division feel supported."

Initiatives: Balance budgetary concerns; ensure students get support; bring a fresh outlook to the board.

Warren Betker

Incumbent Warren Betker began has education career in 1988. Betker worked at the Weyburn Junior High from 1988-2006, and held the roles of principal and vice principal. He also worked at the South East Cornerstone school division office from 2006-11, but is now retired.

"I'm well versed in education. I know the issues. And I know, and have a great deal of respect for, educators and people who work in the education field," he told Discover Weyburn.

"I have grandchildren who are in the system and I think people need to give back to the communities and this is the way I think that I can do it best."

Betker said his past experience on the board gives him something to offer.

"There are going to be some very tough decisions and so, I think it would be helpful to have someone there who has a background in knowing what they are all about."

Initiatives: Help to find solutions to budgetary concerns; ready to make tough decisions; a good understanding of numbers.

The Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division will not be holding an election as only two nominees entered into the race for two positions.

Jerome Sidloski and Bruno Tuchscherer will be on the newest board of trustees for the school division.

Jerome Sidloski

Jerome Sidloski has been on the Holy Roman Catholic School Division board since 2000, and believes his experience will be an asset for the board.

"Given the way that the world is changing, you have to be thinking about your kids ending up in a world economy, which means that the way they are learning now is different than what we learned when we were in school," he told Discover Weyburn.

"You have to be able to adapt to it and keep changing the methodologies in learning, so your kids are ready for the next century."

Sidloski was born and raised in Weyburn, is an active member of the Catholic Church, "which always helps when you're a Christian based school division."

_{Discover Weyburn is waiting to hear back from other nominees and will update the story as their profiles come in.}