PORT HASTINGS: Two familiar faces returned to their posts at the Strait regional school board (SRSB) following the board’s official post-election swearing-in ceremonies.
East Richmond representative Francine Boudreau was returned as the SRSB’s chair, as no other board members challenged Boudreau for the position she has held for nearly two years. East Antigonish board member Jamie Samson was also unopposed for the role of vice-chair, which he originally assumed a year ago. Samson and Boudreau were each acclaimed in their SRSB districts following the September 12 nomination deadline.
Boudreau, who was originally named chair in late 2014 by Education Minister Karen Casey after two other board members seeking the post drew the same number of votes on two consecutive occasions, said it was “a very nice feeling” to win her fellow board members’ support.
Both Boudreau and Samson expressed gratitude for the support from returning board members, including West Richmond representative George Kehoe, who reclaimed his seat after a four-year absence. Similarly, the chair and vice-chair are extending a hand to first-time board members Chelsea Burke, Barbara Quirk and Paula Paul, representing West Guysborough, the Town of Antigonish and the region’s Mi’kmaq community, respectively.
For more on the ceremony, see the November 9 edition of The Reporter.