"To be that local voice for what matters", Charmaine Toews running for HSD school board

“I am very excited to announce that I am running for school trustee in Ward 2 of that Hanover School Division. That ward represents Mitchell and Blumenort and Landmark.” 

Those are the words of Charmaine Toews.  

Toews says she is a parent that loves to get involved and not just as a field trip chaperone but in a more official capacity as well.  

“I have been volunteering in parent councils. At the Mitchell Elementary I did a couple of years and then at Mitchell Middle I have been there I think for seven years and then at the SRSS, I have been on that parent council for four years as well. I get the updates from the principals and then I just help out with fundraising and supporting the schools and being involved in discussions that happen there.” 

In addition, Toews says she has plenty of experience in strategic planning at a board level with not-for-profit organizations. 

“I was a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada and I was a treasurer for that national board. I am excited to see what we can do to better use the resources that we have in the school division. I like the financial side of things and I am not afraid of doing that committee work as part of the school trustee role.” 

Toews herself grew up on a farm near Blumenort and has lived in Mitchell with her family for the last 10 years.  

She notes the Hanover School Division is really special but going forward, there is always room for improvement. 

“That is what the school board is there for, to be that local voice for what matters to the parents and what matters to the community. I think that there needs to be maybe a little more support in certain areas such as mental health. The last couple of years have taken a toll on all our kids and maybe there should be more emphasis put on supports for those students.” 

With that in mind, Toews says she wants to really represent local parents. 

“I want to make sure that I am available to all of the parents in the community, that I represent and advocate for those schools.” She adds “I want to hear from every parent in those communities, I hope that they will message me or email me because I want to know what the parents in this community would like to see changed.” 

Voters will elect school board trustees in the upcoming municipal election which is set to take place on October 26th. Toews says “I hope that parents in this community will give me a chance to get involved and to help them have their voice be heard.”