Prince George, B.C. – There is growing support  among residents of communities  in the Regional District of Fraser Fort George to have regional representation on the  School District 57 Board of Trustees,  and now,   the Regional District of  Fraser Fort George has added  its weight  to the case.

In a letter to the Minister of Education,   RDFFG Chair Art Kaehn  calls  upon the Ministry to make a decision on this matter ” a priority”.

Kaehn says  he understands an application  for regional representation has  been filed,  and that the School District is waiting  for  further direction  from the Ministry. “With the next School Board Trustee election 18 months away, I anticipate some lead time will be needed should there be a decision to implement regional representation within School District No. 57” writes Kaehn.   His letter concludes with “It is my hope that the Ministry of Education will make the review of the application for regional representation on the Board of Trustees for School District No. 57 a priority.”

The matter of regional representation  has sparked  petitions  in favour of  such a move in  the communities of Mackenzie, McBride and  Valemount.   At  the most recent  meeting of the School District 57 Board of Trustees,  Mackenzie Deputy Mayor  Joan Atkinson, presented the petitions  which  bear nearly 700 signatures.     The argument  presented by Atkinson  is that a Trustee living in  the said communities  ” would be a stronger voice for  our community and  available to listen to  concerns.”

Letters of support  have already been  provided  by the Regional District and the villages of Valemount  and McBride.   Atkinson  reminded the Board  “Our communities are feeling left out of the conversations regarding education of our children and are only asking for what we feel is fair and equitable.”