The Public School Boards' Association of Alberta is very pleased to introduce the current Board of Directors:
DENNIS MacNEIL, President (ASPEN VIEW Public Schools)
Dennis is currently in his fourth term as a trustee for Aspen View Public Schools, having served as Board Chair for five years. For 30 years Dennis has been a teacher and an administrator, with a Masters Degree in Sociology of Education from the University of Alberta. He retired after serving 24 years of his career with Aspen View. He has fostered children for the last 25 years and was recently recognized for his contribution to the foster care system both as a foster parent and a trainer for north central Alberta. He and his wife, Darlene have four children of their own and nine grandchildren, many of whom are in the public education system here in Alberta.
Dennis is a strong advocate for public education and believes that all advocacy must be filtered through the lens of what is best for our students. He believes in diversity and inclusion and he looks forward to working with trustees and PSBAA to further the goals of the Association.
karen becker, First Vice President (Wetaskiwin regional Public Schools)
Karen Becker is in her third term as a trustee for Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools. She has been involved in the field of education in a number of roles for over 25 years.
She is a strong supporter of inclusion, rural education, and the inspiring success among indigenous students.
Karen is strongly committed to advancing the goals and priorities of PSBAA, and to serving the students in Alberta's public schools.
Email: firstvp@public-schools.ab.ca
nicole buchanan, Second Vice President (red deer Public Schools)
Nicole Buchanan is the Chair of Red Deer Public School Division and is serving her second term as a trustee. She has always valued education and believes it is important to provide the greatest opportunities and resources for the upcoming generation, so every student can become the best version of themselves.
Nicole's priorities include creating spaces in her community where everyone feels welcome, safe and cared for; that students, parents, and staff feel valued and that their thoughts and opinions matter.
Nicole has been employed as a police officer with the City of Calgary since 2008 but resides in Red Deer and commutes.
Patrick Grisonich, First Director (Medicine Hat Public School Division)
Pat Grisonich is Vice-Chair for Medicine Hat Public Schools. Pat was born and raised in Medicine Hat. He attended Medicine Hat College for 2 years before transferring to the University of Calgary, graduating with a B.Ed. in 1985. Nowadays, he is retired and lives with his wife Kristen; between them they have four grown children, all of whom completed high school in Medicine Hat.
Pat began a career in education teaching grade 6 before moving on to become a junior high counselor. From there, he became a vice-principal: a role he held in several schools before becoming the principal of Crescent Heights High School.
As a teacher and administrator, he has always felt that building relationships is of paramount importance. It is through relationships that schools, teams, programs, and ultimately staff and student's flourish.
As a Trustee he wishes to be a familiar and friendly presence in the schools and a proud supporter of education in the Medicine Hat Public School Division. He appreciates the support from staff at central office as well as in the schools, and looks forward to working with all stakeholders throughout his four year term.
Timothy O'Hara, Second Director (Fort McMurray Public School Division)
Tim is currently serving his third term as a trustee for Fort McMurray Public Schools. He has been involved in the Student Transportation side of education for the past 20 years, starting his career as an Assistant Director of Transportation. Six years later he assumed the role of Director of Transportation with another school division, and shortly thereafter was offered and accepted the role of General Manager with Sparksman Transportation Ltd., a bus company which today provides transportation to 7 different school authorities, operates a rural transit system, and provides employee transportation to multiple oil and gas sub-contractors. He is married with two young and very energetic boys aged 4 and 7.
Prior to moving onto the private side of the industry, Tim served as Treasurer for the Student Transportation Association of Alberta. He has also held the roles of Chair of Internal Transportation for the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games and the 2019 Wood Buffalo Alberta Winter Games. In 2020, he was recognized alongside his wife, as one of Your McMurray Magazine’s top 50 under 50.
Tim shares a deep passion for Public School Education and believes in locally elected trustees and in local board autonomy. He is a firm believer that Public Education is the most important education system, as it is the only system that is truly fully inclusive, and he believes that strong public schools are a necessary part of the foundation of our province.
JAN SAWYER, DIRECTOR (EDMONTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS)
Jan (she/her) was an educator and school principal before retiring in December 2020. Feeling she had more to give to public education, she ran as a Trustee and is honoured to serve the constituents of Ward I.
Jan has a master's of education in educational leadership and comes from a long line of educators. She believes schools should be community hubs and that they should feel like a second home for students and their families.
As a Trustee, she hopes to continue supporting a strong public school system by lobbying the provincial government for increased funding for special needs education, infrastructure and staffing. She looks forward to listening to families and students to best represent their needs in the Division.