The Near North District School Board has picked a new trustee to fill a vacancy left by the death of former trustee Kathy Hewitt.
She's Louise Sargent, who spent 33 years teaching before retiring last year.
Sargent fell just short in her first run during last year's election, but received the most votes of candidates that were unsuccessful.
"It's been a year of rest and I'm ready to go," Sargent told BayToday. "I'm just sorry that it's under these circumstances."
Hewitt died in July at 76.
Sargent says she hopes that by being on the board, people will feel that there is accessibility, someone who is listening and working hard for them.
"I'm hoping to use my background to be an informed representative for the students. Also there are some decisions that will be coming up, that once I hear from all the sides, I'll have a better perspective on where I stand on the issues," she said.
The board had other options, such as appointing a different choice, or calling an election.
“It was very clear that the spending of taxpayer monies for a by-election was not acceptable by the Board of Trustees, which was estimated to be over $125,000. The trustees and senior administration look forward to working with Louise in her new governance role,” commented Chair David Thompson.
There is a precedent for the move as Michelina Beam was sworn in as trustee in 2011 after Jay Aspin left his position on the board to run in the federal election.
