Hanover School Division Appoints Friesen and Wiebe as Chairs

The Hanover School Division (HSD) has officially appointed Jeff Friesen and Dallas Wiebe as chairperson and vice chair for the 2025–26 school year, effective September 2. Both trustees represent Ward 1, which includes the communities of Bothwell, Kleefeld, Crystal Springs, and Niverville.

Friesen and Wiebe were elected by acclamation, continuing their leadership roles from the previous year, albeit in reversed positions. Friesen, who has chosen not to run for chair due to increased family commitments, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating again with Wiebe, emphasizing their shared values and flexibility as self-employed farmers.

Friesen noted the significant responsibilities that come with the role of chairperson, which includes attending numerous meetings, managing correspondence from various organizations such as the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and the Manitoba School Boards Association, and accurately communicating essential information to the board during regular meetings.

Reflecting on their past year in leadership, Friesen stated that their partnership has strengthened considerably. “In the past, the vice chair has been kept at arm’s length,” he explained. “Now, there is a mutual agreement to include each other in every relevant conversation.”

Despite their commitment to the roles, Friesen expressed a desire for all board members to experience the responsibilities of leading. He believes this experience fosters stronger trusteeship and better governance. “You get better board members if they understand what it takes to lead,” he added.

The challenges of the role also include the limited compensation, which Friesen described as inadequate given the time and effort trustees invest. While they receive nominal stipends for attending meetings and reimbursement for mileage, he highlighted that HSD is among the lowest-paid divisions despite being one of the largest. This has sparked discussions regarding the need to offer salaries to attract more candidates to the board, although some members believe that motivation should stem from a commitment to serve the community.

As the new school term approaches, Friesen remains committed to prioritizing the values that matter to HSD parents. He aims to address what he perceives as government and MTS overreach while maintaining local traditions and respect within the schools. “Keeping the local HSD values and traditions relevant and respected in the schools,” he asserted, “is central to our role as trustees.”

Friesen cautioned that the erosion of these values could lead parents to seek alternatives such as private schools or homeschooling, options not accessible to all families. He acknowledged that both he and Wiebe’s children attend private institutions, underscoring the disparities in educational access.

As the Hanover School Division embarks on a new academic year, the leadership of Friesen and Wiebe will play a crucial role in navigating these challenges and advocating for the community’s educational needs.