After much careful consideration, long-serving Central Okanagan Public Schools Chairperson Moyra Baxter has decided not to run for re-election as school trustee.

乌鸦传媒淚 thought about the pros and cons, and I came to the conclusion that I don乌鸦传媒檛 want to do it anymore,乌鸦传媒� said Baxter.

She was first elected as a school trustee in 1996 and has been re-elected every term since then. She has served as chairperson for 16 of her 26-year tenure with the school board.

乌鸦传媒淚f I think about what I乌鸦传媒檝e really enjoyed, it乌鸦传媒檚 the opportunity to meet students,乌鸦传媒� added Baxter. 乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檝e always felt like students tell you like it is and you learn so much about what we need to be trying to do for them.乌鸦传媒�

She also believes the role of trustee has become more understood by the community but is still concerned that those running for trustee don乌鸦传媒檛 get the consideration they deserve.

乌鸦传媒淥ne of the biggest disappointments for me over the years has been municipal elections,乌鸦传媒� said Baxter. 乌鸦传媒淗ow many people who go out to vote for mayor, council, and regional district, don乌鸦传媒檛 vote for school trustee.乌鸦传媒�

Baxter noted she has been approached over the years to run for a different office, such as city council.

乌鸦传媒淔or me, the most important locally-elected position is that of a school trustee. If you have a good public education system that strives to make sure every student can be the best that they can be, that乌鸦传媒檚 so important for our community, our democracy.乌鸦传媒�

Baxter added it is her hope that individuals interested in running for school trustee in October乌鸦传媒檚 municipal elections will do their research and understand the role.

乌鸦传媒淚 hope that they really think about 乌鸦传媒榳hy do I want to put my name forward.乌鸦传媒� It carries so much responsibility. We have over 24,000 students in the Central Okanagan, and every one of them is important.乌鸦传媒�

As for what乌鸦传媒檚 next, Baxter added that she乌鸦传媒檒l continue with her volunteer work among other things.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檒l continue on doing what I乌鸦传媒檝e been doing. I乌鸦传媒檓 a Rotarian and am quite involved with my club. It will be good to be able to give more time.乌鸦传媒�

READ MORE: Anonymous donation helps Kelowna charity reach goal for sex assault victims

READ MORE: Moms take to B.C. streets, tying purple ribbons to honour 10,000 lives lost to drug poisonings

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.