Alberta Catholic school trustees re-elect president Ted Paszek

- WCR photo by Alicia Ambrosio Sandra Bannard is ACSTA's vice -president, Ted Paszek was re-elected president.

By ALICIA AMBROSIO
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

The Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association has re-elected its president and chosen a new vice-president.

On Nov. 18, the last day of the ACSTA's annual general meeting and convention, Ted Paszek was re-elected to a second year as president, defeating former long-time president Lois Burke-Gaffney of Calgary.

Sandra Bannard of Drayton Valley, a trustee for the St. Thomas Aquinas school district, was elected vice-president.

Paszek has been a trustee with the Sherwood Park-based Elk Island Catholic board for 21 years.

He said he will continue to defend Catholic education in Alberta by ensuring continued ties with members of the provincial government, as well as the Bishops of Alberta.

Not only has Paszek attended Catholic schools himself and sent his four children to Catholic schools, but he also taught at various Catholic schools in Edmonton. He retired three years ago while he was principal of St. Vladimir School.

Underline Catholic

In his second term, Paszek said, some refocusing will be done. He intends to concentrate more on advocating for Catholic education, not just defending the constitutional right to faith-based education.

He also said he sees a need to do "more work to demonstrate the value of Catholic education to Albertans."

"Value-based education teaches good citizenship, stewardship, caring. Who can deny this is good?"

Bannard, a mother of five, agreed with Paszek, saying Catholic education "is good for all of society. It strengthens the province and the country."

Bannard said her passion for Catholic education was inspired by her father and her own experience in the Catholic school system.

Her father believed so deeply in Catholic education that he served as a Catholic school trustee even though he had only a Grade 9 education.

Met in kindergarten

As for her own personal experience in the Catholic school system: "I met my husband in kindergarten," she said during her speech to trustees prior to voting.

She reassured laughing trustees that they did not start dating "until Grade 12."

Having experienced the Catholic school system as a student, parent and now as trustee she said confidently, "Catholic education is a beautiful thing."

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