Trustee Blaine Foley resigns from BSD board

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This article was published 26/03/2025 (436 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon School Division trustee Blaine Foley announced his resignation during the board’s general meeting on Monday evening, ending his tenure of nearly four and a half years.

Foley cited his pursuit of a teaching career and the need to avoid professional conflicts as the primary reasons for stepping down.

The resignation will take effect at the end of March, he told the board.

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community, and I am thankful for all the people who supported me,” Foley said in an interview with the Sun. “I’m thankful for the leadership of the board and the senior administration for their efforts and support given to me to serve as a trustee.”

Foley listed his contributions to advancing literacy in early education and ensuring teacher-to-student ratio improvements at the K-3 level as some of his key accomplishments. However, he acknowledged that navigating the challenges of the COVID pandemic was one of the toughest aspects of his tenure.

With his resignation, Foley is set to complete his education degree and transition into teaching, a profession he has been preparing for through placements in rural divisions outside of Brandon. Foley said he remains hopeful of securing a teaching position within the city and emphasized his strong ties to Brandon, where he grew up and currently resides with his family.

With Foley’s departure, the school board is expected to hold a byelection to fill his vacant seat.

The byelection process is mandatory since the vacancy occurred more than 12 months before the next general election, board secretary Denis Labossiere told the Sun.

“We will need to proceed with a byelection,” Labossiere said. “The board will discuss potential dates during its next meeting on April 14. The scheduling will take into consideration other upcoming elections, including the federal election and a potential provincial byelection.”

He said he will work with senior election officials and the board to determine next steps after he receives Foley’s formal resignation letter.

“The key question is whether the byelection will take place before the end of the school year or if it will be held next fall,” he said. “Summer typically sees lower participation, so we need to consider that. I will be working through these details, and we will make an official announcement soon.”

The board will also collaborate with the City of Brandon to determine the availability of facilities and election officials.

At Monday’s meeting, trustees said they appreciated Foley’s contributions to the board, and several described him as a “level-headed” individual.

Board chair Linda Ross said Foley’s service has been appreciated and his insights and dedication have made a lasting impact on the board.

“We have always been able to count on you to provide thoughtful, well-considered opinions. You’ve taken the work here seriously, and you will be missed,” she said. “It’s hard to see you go, but I understand that you have a potential conflict there. I hope you get the best teaching job.”

Other trustees also commended his contributions and wished him success in his new career.

Trustee Kim Fallis said his level-headedness shows he will be a good teacher.

“I know that some classrooms, whether it be in Brandon or elsewhere, will be very lucky to have you as their teacher.”

Vice-chair Duncan Ross, who anticipated Foley’s departure due to his impending career change, expressed regret but acknowledged that the move was an exciting next step.

Trustee Breeanna Sieklicki said she hoped Foley would get a job in a nearby school.

“I won’t lie — I’ve always been a bit of a wishful thinker. I was hoping you might stay and work at one of the nearby schools, but that was just wishful thinking,” she said. “Your level-headedness has been one of the most valued on the board, and I think we can all agree on that. You will be missed. Wishing you all the best!”

As Foley prepares for his next chapter, he expressed gratitude to his fellow trustees and the school division’s administration. “I think our board is effectively run, and I appreciate all the hard work from my colleagues.”

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