Ponoka trustee Maria Lentz has been elected as chair of the St. Thomas Aquinas Roman (STAR) Catholic School Board.
School maintenance and construction are key priorities for the new chair. “While there is a demand to build new schools in communities such as Beaumont, we must ensure that all of the schools in our division are properly maintained for the benefit of our students and staff,” said Lentz, Lentz was first elected as a trustee in 2004.
Accountability is another area Lentz will continue to focus her energy on. An example she cites is when board members or administration travel to attend conferences. “They need to provide reports and share the lessons they have learned upon their return.
“While this activity occurs informally today, we have to work to make it part of our standard practice in the future so the entire division benefits from professional development opportunities.”
Lentz is joined by Wetaskiwin trustee Kelly Whalen, who was re-elected as vice-chair. Their appointments are set until October 2010, when general elections are held.
“Maria brings a great deal of experience and passion to educational issues that are important to students and their families,” said Ray Prins, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka. “She will be a strong voice and advocate for our schools.”
Lentz says she is motivated by a strong desire to promote and preserve Catholic education. “At this time in my life I have the time to dedicate to the position of chairperson. I certainly will rely on the help of my fellow trustees, central office staff and the co-operation of the hard working staff in our schools to make St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Schools Division the best it can be.”