By Derrick Kunz, GSCS Communications
On Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ (GSCS) board of education trustees held their first meeting since the Nov. 13 election. A planned Nov. 25 meeting was postponed because of the winter storm that swept through the province.
The annual Organizational Meeting— where the 10-member board selects a chair, vice-chair, and trustees to represent the board on a variety of committees—had an even split of incumbents and first-time trustees.
Returning are: Ron Boechler (Saskatoon), Diane Boyko (Saskatoon), Bonita Elliott (Biggar, acclaimed), Tim Jelinski (Saskatoon), and Sharon Zakreski-Werbicki (Saskatoon).
Newly-elected trustees are: Michelle Christopher (Saskatoon), Kate Day (Saskatoon), Owen Fortosky (Saskatoon), Michael Raney (Martensville, Warman, and rural Saskatoon), and Florian Possberg (Humboldt, acclaimed).
Before trustees took their oath of office, Fr. Stefano Penna, the bishop’s delegate from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon for the school division, and Bishop Michael Smolinski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon led a commissioning service for trustees asking for God’s blessings, guidance and wisdom for trustees.
Fr. Stefano Penna, Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s delegate for GSCS, leads a commissioning ceremony for trustees at the Organizational Meeting. (Photo by Derrick Kunz, GSCS communications)
Using the metaphor and Christian symbolism of water, Penna gave a short reflection on trustees “bringing water” to their work, to the students in our schools, and to the teachers and staff. He reminded trustees that being people of prayer is a powerful way to bring Jesus, the living water, to all they do.
Diane Boyko was re-elected as chair, and Ron Boechler was re-elected to serve as vice-chair.
Diane Boyko is once again chair of the GSCS board. (Photo courtesy of GSCS)
“I’m honoured to maintain the confidence of those who voted for me and the confidence of my fellow trustees called to serve in Catholic education,” said Boyko. “GSCS is a blessed place to be, and I look forward to the work we will do together. Our schools are places are where students have the opportunity to be welcomed as children of God, to learn the saving message of Jesus Christ, and to become disciples.”
With 50 schools and over 23,000 students, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools is Saskatchewan’s largest Catholic school division, providing Catholic faith-based education from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 in Saskatoon and area, Biggar, Humboldt, Martensville and Warman. We are rooted in faith, growing in knowledge and reaching out to transform the world.
GSCS trustees (l-r) Bonita Elliott; Owen Fortosky; Tim Jelinski; Florian Possberg at the Organizational Meeting. (Photo by Derrick Kunz, GSCS communications)
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ Board of Education consists of 10 elected trustees. Seven at-large trustees represent Saskatoon, and one trustee represents each of our three subdivisions: rural areas around Saskatoon, including Martensville and Warman (Subdivision 1); Humboldt (Subdivision 2); and Biggar (Subdivision 3).
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Diocesan Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.