Board Members

 

 

Verne is a lifelong resident of Lumsden, having taught at Lumsden High School for 31 years before retiring in 2016. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. He is married to Margo, also a retired teacher, and has a son who attends high school in Prairie Valley. 

 

Verne has been involved in various community organizations including 23 years as a Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation councilor, 12 years as a local association president, 12 years on Lumsden Town Council, eight years as the mayor, and the current chair of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Retirement Plan. He is very proud to have been a player or coach for 15 provincial championship teams in five different sports, all Lumsden based. Verne was elected to Prairie Valley Board of Education in 2016. 

 

Verne wants to work with fellow Board members on behalf of students and staff in the Division to ensure the Division is open and welcoming to volunteers and community groups. “I am passionate about upholding respect for the history and traditions of our schools and their place in our communities.”

 

 

Marlene resides in Fort Qu’Appelle with her husband, Doug. They are semi-retired with a business partnership. They have two sons who are at post-secondary schools and a daughter who is a teacher. Marlene has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and an Adult Education Certificate from the University of Alberta.

 

Marlene has extensive teaching experience including being a teacher at Birch Hills, Saltcoats and Grayson, a substitute teacher at Prairie Valley School Division, a principal and teacher at Good Spirit School Division, a principal at Muskapetung First Nation and a vice principal and teacher in Alberta. Marlene is a member of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. She was elected to Prairie Valley Board of Education in 2016. 

 

To Marlene, education is the responsibility of every member of a community and has been her passion and vocation. “I want to provide student and communities with the best possible education through communication, cooperation, understanding and accountability as part of an effective board of governance.”

 

 

Tara-Leigh, her husband and family have lived in Indian Head since 2008.  Their daughter is studying for a degree in Education and their two sons attend Indian Head High School.

 

Tara-Leigh attended Medicine Hat College and the University of Calgary studying Fine Arts, then received her diploma in Interior Design from Mount Royal University.  She is a community development consultant for South East Sport, Culture and Recreation working with communities throughout south east Saskatchewan on leadership development and capacity building.  She serves as the sports coordinator for Team South East for the Saskatchewan Games Program and is the chair of the Grand Theatre Board of Directors in Indian Head.  Tara was recognized in 2016 as a YWCA Women of Distinction in the category of Contribution to a Rural Community. She was elected to the Prairie Valley Board of Education in 2020.

 

Tara-Leigh is passionate about accessible and equitable programming.  “I believe that strong community connection and community support are essential components to staff and student success. I look forward to meeting with community members, staff and students throughout the region and sharing their wisdom with the Board.” 

 

 

Jana was born and raised in Whitewood and now resides in Grenfell with her husband, Rod. They have three children, an adult son and two daughters who attend high school in Prairie Valley.

 

Jana and her husband have owned and operated a successful heavy duty mechanic shop in Grenfell since 2006.  Previously, Jana worked in the finance sector in debt recovery and as a loans officer. Jana was an SCC chair of both Grenfell Elementary and Grenfell High for seven years and was elected to Prairie Valley Board of Education in 2020.

 

“As a parent, it is extremely important to me that our children continue to receive the same high quality standards of education in all rural and urban schools.  I am determined to be the voice for my community and surrounding area as I advocate for our children’s educational needs.”

 

 

Terry resides on a farm near the community of Kennedy, operating an agricultural business along with her daughter and son. She has four adult children and is a proud grandmother to four grandsons. 

 

Terry holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Regina. As well, a Master of Science degree in Speech/Language Pathology from Minot State University. Terry pioneered Speech/Language Pathology in southeastern Saskatchewan, being the first Speech/Language Pathologist available in many rural communities. She worked in her field for 34 years, retiring from Prairie Valley School Division in 2011. 

 

Terry began to serve on the Prairie Valley Board of Education, winning a by-election in 2014. She was elected to serve as Vice-Chair to the Board in November of 2023. "I am committed to ensure that all students in our school division receive equitable education and the voices of the communities that elect me are heard at the Board table during the decision making process."

 

 

Janet is from Montmartre. She has worked in government and the private sector and currently operates a mixed grain and livestock farm with her husband Peter. They have three children, their daughter is a Registered Psychologist, their son is a Civil Engineer and their youngest daughter a Registered Nurse.  

 

Janet has served in the education sector since being elected to the local school board in Montmartre in 1997. She has been on the Prairie Valley Board of Education since its inception in 2005.  Janet was elected Board Chair in 2012 and has served on various Prairie Valley committees including Local Bargaining, Audit and Risk, Governance, and Policy Renewal. Janet served as Southern Constituency Representative on the Executive of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association from 2012-2021. Her provincial experiences have been wide-ranging and include chairing the SSBA's Board Development Committee and Co-Chairing the Education Visioning Project Working Advisory Group (WAG) and Education Equity WAG as well as serving on the Education Relations Board and the University of Regina Senate.

 

“I ran for the board because I believe in public voice in public education and want to continue to bring the voice of the communities I represent to the board table.  I will work to ensure that Prairie Valley to continues to be a full service school division that has a full complement of professional staff that serves and honours all learners and values parent and community engagement in education.”

 

 

Judy is a retired educator with over 25 years of experience. Judy and her husband Bernie have recently moved to Echo Lake.  Judy graduated from Milestone School as did her three children. Judy and Bernie have twelve grandchildren attending public schools.

 

Judy received a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. Judy was a science teacher at Sheldon Williams Collegiate and taught Kindergarten to Grade 12 at Milestone School, retiring as principal, a role she held for 11 years. She served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1991-1999. She was also Caucus Chairperson, Minister of Highways and Transportation and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. She has served on many boards including the Science Centre and the Transportation Association of Canada. Judy was elected to Prairie Valley Board of Education in 2015 and held the position of Vice Chair from November of 18 to November of 2023. Judy is the Prairie Valley Board’s representative to the provincial Public Section and currently is the First Vice Chairperson on the provincial executive of Public Section. 

 

 “I believe in the importance of strong local voice in Public education.  Two-way communication from the local level to the Board table and Board decisions to the community is essential. I have a strong passion for equitable public education that meets the needs of all of our students rural or urban. I want to do my part to ensure that Prairie Valley School Division delivers the best education system possible for all of our students and communities.”

 

 

Growing up in Balgonie, Kimberly attended both Balgonie Elementary School and Greenall High Schools before graduating from the University of Regina with a business degree.

 

The first decade of Kiel’s professional life was spent building a successful financial planning practice, first in Regina, then in Calgary. In 2003, she sold her practice to begin her career as a professional artist, which has resulted in her work being represented nationally and internationally in galleries and collections.  

 

In 2008, she moved back to an acreage near Balgonie and resides there with her husband Murray and sons Eli and Emmett. For the past 25 years she has served in a leadership capacity on numerous boards and volunteer organizations. Over the last 13 years she has served as the Chair or Vice Chair on School Community Councils at Balgonie Elementary School and Greenall High School.  

 

Kiel is passionate about representing the communities of Subdivision 9 and ensuring they have a strong voice in important decisions about public education.

 

 

Rachel lives at  Zagime Anishinabek First Nations, northeast of Grenfell. She has three children: two sons who attend a Prairie Valley school and a daughter who attends Goose Lake School at  Zagime Anishinabek First Nations.

 

Rachel had a career as a youth worker and recreational technician before being elected to  Zagime Anishinabek First Nations Council in 2013. When she was first elected, she was given the education mandate and decided to become a school board member as an opportunity to connect with youth again. She was elected to Prairie Valley Board of Education in 2014. 

 

Rachel brings to the Board her experience with youth and a unique perspective as a young First Nations person. "Learning about the issues and concerns of our youth today and sharing in their successes is the most meaningful part of my work on the Board."