Rhonda Lafrance steps down as SPERD trustee

St. Paul Education Regional Division (SPERD) has announced that Rhonda Lafrance has stepped down as a trustee for the school baord. “It is with great sadness and gratitude St. Paul Board of Trustees accepts the resignation from Trustee Lafrance of Subdivision D,” announced board chair Heather Starosielski in a press release.

Lafrance was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2007 and has served on this board for the past eleven and a half years. “Over the years Rhonda has sat on many committees such as Communications, Policy, COSC, Strategic Planning, etc., and has spent time as Vice-Chair, she has been a staunch supporter of Catholic education in our division as our representative and director with ACSTA,” stated Starosielski. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and everyone from St Paul Education thank you, Rhonda, for your dedicated service to St. Paul Education and we wish you all the best on your new journey that awaits you.”

Lafrance explained her departure is due to a career change. She stated, “I am excited about this new journey in my career, but I will continue to maintain my keen interest in education. I have complete confidence in my fellow board members to continue the good work of serving our students, staff, parents, and community. Thank you to all of you who voted for me and supported me on this journey. I will cherish these memories always.”

 Within the School Act section 251 (subsection 2) (a) during the 3-year period immediately following a general election, a by-election need not be held if there is only one vacancy on the board. There is some cost benefit to the board to not fill the vacancy. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that the remaining 6 trustees would forego a by-election and instead absorb the outstanding duties.