Red Deer Catholic Regional School's trustee Diane MacKay says she is looking forward to meeting the challenges facing students in her ward and across the school division over the next four years.
MacKay, whose Queen Elizabeth II ward includes Innisfail, Olds and Didsbury, was acclaimed on September 23 to a third term.
She said one of the principal challenges facing the division is cuts in provincial education funding.
“We are seeing those cuts across the whole province,” MacKay told the Gazette. “School divisions across the province are seeing decreases in education funding from the provincial government.
“We will need to analyze the needs of school division and set priorities and use our funds to address those funds to address those priorities.
“I think we are doing a good job now making sure that the dollars are going to students and making sure teachers are in front of students. I think we need to continue to do that. We need to make sure students are receiving the best education they can get.”
Asked if she believes funding cutbacks are currently impacting student education, she said, “At this moment, no. At this point in time we have some reserves that we can draw upon, but if funding continues to be cut then those reserves are going to be gone and then it's going to be tough.”
She said she would not like to see school fees increase to make up for provincial funding shortfalls.
“I wouldn't want to see those rise because there are families that are having a hard time meeting the fees now, finding money for the fees now,” she said.
MacKay said she is pleased the people in her ward have had confidence to elect her for another term.
“I ran again because I feel that I have been called to serve and to continue to serve the people in the area and the community, I am thankful and grateful that they feel that I've done a good enough job these last six years that would like me to continue for another four years,” she said.
