Seventeen people are hoping to replace Joyce Bennett on the Thames Valley District School Board.
On Tuesday, the board released the list of names of the people who have applied to fill the seat left vacant by Bennett when she announced her resignation in October. No reason was given at the time for her resignation. Bennett had been a trustee in London for more than 30 years. Bennett was first elected to the Board of Trustees for the former Board of Education for the City of London in November 1988. She went on to serve as chair of the board for two consecutive terms in 2002 and 2003. Bennett was also the recipient of the Dr. Harry Paiken Award of Merit from the Ontario Public School Board’s Association and the Steve Cordes Community Star Award.
The 17 candidates who have applied to replace her are: Melanie Amadasun Rob Ashton Shiv Chokhani Jean Coles Heather Derks (Newton) Prabh Simrah Gill Laura Gonzalez Allison Gowling Christie Kent (Basalle) Marianne Larsen Chris Magowan Lincoln McCardle Vince Mitalas Sherri Moore Leroy Osbourne Matt Reid Ronald Rowbottom
“We are looking for a community leader who can champion the issues and concerns of families within the city of London,” TVDSB Chair Lori-Ann Pizzolato said in a news release issued Tuesday. “Trustees are advocates for public education and represent a vital link between the school board and the constituents we serve.”
The successful applicant will represent City of London Wards 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13 and complete the Board’s four-year term expiring in November 2022.