Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) trustee Bruce Schieck has officially announced he will not be seeking re-election to the position he has held for close to three decades.
Schieck, a Mapleton Township resident, has served as trustee since 1991, representing an electoral district that includes the Township of Wellington North and the Town of Minto, as well as his home municipality.
A fixture at commencement exercises, public meetings and all manner of education-related functions over the past 27 years, Schieck’s dedication to the cause of a quality local education is worthy of special recognition. School trustee is neither the most glamorous nor well-compensated position in local politics. It’s not one anyone undertakes for any reason other than care and concern for young people in our area and a desire to help them reach their potential.
This past February Schieck was presented with the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) President’s Award, which honours trustees for their commitment, dedication and selflessness in the pursuit of improving public education. During his time on the board, Shieck has seen first-hand many changes in public education, as well as the political, administrative and cultural amalgamation of the Dufferin and Wellington school boards into the present Upper Grand board.
What hasn’t changed, however, stated a Jan. 29 press release from the UGDSB announcing Shieck as a recipient of the President’s award, is the local trustee’s “focus on the learning and well-being of children, youth and adult learners.” To that, we feel compelled to add: Thank you, Bruce, for a job well and diligently done.
