Larry Pavloff, Trustee for Subdivision 5 and Board Chair, will be resigning from his position with the Prairie Spirit Board of Education, effective June 30.
Larry grew up in Arelee and graduated from Perdue School. He taught for 30 years, teaching in schools in Turtleford, Aberdeen and Allan. He was an accomplished softball player who played internationally and spent a year playing in New Zealand. In 2003, he was inducted as an individual athlete into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
He was elected as a Trustee for Prairie Spirit School Division when the Division was formed through amalgamation in 2006, representing Subdivision 5 (Perdue, Asquith, Eagle Creek Colony and Sunnydale Colony). He was elected Board Chair in 2011, a position he has held ever since.
Larry was awarded a Life Membership in the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) last year. He served on a number of provincial education committees, including the Provincial Panel on Student Achievement, the Provincial Capital Restructuring Committee, the Provincial Infrastructure Advisory Committee and several others.
At the end of his term, it’s a good time to look back and reflect on his 12 years with the Prairie Spirit Board of Education.
What has changed the most since you started as a Trustee in 2006?
“I’ve seen a huge change in adult learning in our school division. I see schools and staff working together and learning from each other.”
What has been challenging about your work on the Board?
“Since 2012, Prairie Spirit has had major reductions in resources. As a Board, we’ve had to make many difficult decisions regarding where to spend the money we have. The Board has worked so hard to support staff.”
What are you proud of?
“I like the focus on My Prairie Spirit Classroom. I’ve enjoyed Learning for Life presentations. I also appreciate the focus on personal goals that match school goals; school goals that align with Division goals and the overall focus on the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP).
I sincerely appreciate being a part of all the great work that Administration and staff have done with students over the years.”
What will you miss?
“I will miss the work with staff and Trustees. Some of it has been challenging, but it’s all been good work because it’s supporting staff and students.
I’ll miss my interactions with students at the Hutterite colonies, in particular. I enjoy listening to them read and taking them hockey sticks and baseball bats.”
What work still needs to be done?
“We need to continue our work with First Nations and Métis partners, communities, parents and students.
We need to continue to support staff in their adult learning. I’ve seen great gains and staff satisfaction from the support from each other and the learning they’re engaged in.”
Thank you and best wishes, Larry!
Vice-Chair Sam Dyck will move into the role of Board Chair. The Board elected Ken Crush to serve as Vice-Chair. These positions will remain in effect until the Board’s annual organizational meeting in November.
