Community Futures director seeks school trustee role

Community Futures Westman executive director Bill Hogan has registered to run for a seat on the Brandon School Division board of trustees.

Hogan joins the list of candidates to seek seats on the board, including current vice-chair Duncan Ross, incumbent trustees Kirk Carr and Lorraine McConnell, and veteran politician Jim McCrae.

Hogan said his work leading Community Futures has given him practical experience overseeing budgets, supporting non-profit governance and working with educational institutions to help students prepare for life after graduation.

“My experience with Community Futures would translate well to being a trustee,” Hogan told the Sun. “Part of my duties here are to serve a non-profit board and help with strategic planning and budgeting. I’ve spent over 20 years training in board governance and strategic planning, as well as setting and adhering to budgets.”

As part of his role, Hogan has worked closely with Brandon schools to deliver entrepreneurship training and has collaborated with Brandon University and Assiniboine College to better understand workforce needs and graduate outcomes.

He said those experiences would shape his priorities if he’s elected.

“My wife and I moved here from Northern Saskatchewan, and we are both impressed by the sense of community here in Brandon,” Hogan said. “We are both retiring this year and would still like to contribute to the community.”

Hogan said he wants to ensure students leave school well prepared for life beyond graduation, particularly those who are still uncertain about their career paths.

“Not all who graduate know what they want to do,” he said. “As someone who spent a career working with entrepreneurs, I would like to see how curriculum around this subject is set. Talking to teachers in my work with schools, this isn’t always a priority.”

He said another goal would be to gain a deeper understanding of the local education system and its needs.

One of the board’s greatest challenges will be managing limited financial resources while meeting growing demands, he said.

“Organizations like the Brandon School Division realize that they are tasked with a fixed number of finances and tough decisions have to be made as to how to allocate that money,” he said.

Spending decisions should align with the division’s strategic vision while ensuring resources are used in ways that most benefit students, he said.

On budgeting, Hogan said trustees should seek input from school officials, administrators, parents and students before making decisions, although he acknowledged trustees ultimately bear responsibility for setting priorities.

“There will be some budget categories that are non-negotiable, but beyond that there have to be hard decisions on other categories,” he said. “Not everyone will agree with some priorities, but those that concern the majority should influence those decisions.”

Hogan also identified school safety as a significant concern, pointing to what he described as increasing incidents of violence in schools.

“How can the schools balance ensuring the students’ safety while maintaining a welcoming and enjoyable environment at all schools?” he said.

Brandon’s projected population growth is another issue requiring long-term planning, he said, the division must determine whether existing school buildings and educational resources can keep pace with rising enrolment.

Hogan said fostering inclusive schools must also remain a priority.

“The schools should be considered ‘safe zones’ by all students regardless of backgrounds or special needs,” he said. “Sometimes extra training of both school officials and the student population is needed to make sure those students with varying backgrounds are always feeling welcome.”

He said his professional background and volunteer experience, combined with his upcoming retirement, would allow him to dedicate the time required to serve effectively as a trustee.

“I think the varied experience that I bring in my career and volunteer work would make me a suitable candidate for this important position,” Hogan said.

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