Logan again running to represent Ward 1 in school division

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Marie Logan intends to continue on as a Horizon School Board trustee if she can gather the votes – a feat that she has successfully pulled off for the last 30 years. When the civic election rolls around on October 20, Logan hopes to again represent Ward 1 – Lomond/Enchant.

 “I’m running again,” she said. “I’ve been asked to do it, and the reason I’m running is that I have a passion for education and a strong commitment to see that students get the best possible education.”

 She said Horizon School Division has dedicated and knowledgeable staff in its schools and at the division office. New Supt. Adam Browning stepped in to replace Wilco Tymensen on Aug. 1 and Logan would like to be there to offer her insights as the Division makes the transition.

 “I have extensive experience in governance and policy development, and kept abreast of educational issues and informed on legislation and regulations of the government,” she said.

 Logan’s credentials certainly speak for themselves. She has been board chair, vice chair, a rep on the Teacher’s Employee Bargaining Association, and she sits on the Alberta School Board Association in zone six, and “faithfully attend(s) all the fall and general meetings and spring general meetings.”

 “I do this to make a difference in our schools,” she said. “I always say it’s important to celebrate public education and the contribution that our educators and schools make in our division.”

In her ward, which she called “a big, rural, empty area,” a school becomes the epicenter where futures are born and nurtured.

 For the upcoming term, a number of issues came to her mind as present or forthcoming concerns. She hopes the teachers and union reach a settlement to avoid a strike. “That’s the first thing,” she said.

 Additionally, the Province has banished sexually explicit books from the schools, and Logan said though the division probably doesn’t have many, they have to be off the library shelves by October.

 By January, the board needs to have its own updated and new policies in place to “deal with complexity in our classrooms. We have difficulties recruiting counselling staff and getting third party assessments and accessing services for our rural schools. It can be a real challenge,” she said – especially in rural schools like Hays Lomond.

 In September, the board of trustees will contend with the Education Amendment Act, new fairness and safety in sports regulations, and new protection of privacy and access to information laws. A mandatory K – Gr.3 social studies curriculum also begins.

 Logan is looking forward to a new mental health initiative at Central HS, and she’s highly supportive of Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute, which gives high school hands-on opportunities in a variety of trades.

 Nominees must submit forms signed by at least five electors, be residents of the school board on the date they signed the form, and be eligible to vote in the election.  Candidates are also required to submit campaign financial documents and pass a criminal record check.