“After an extensive search process, the board is very pleased to welcome Ms. Cassidy to the role of Secretary-Treasurer, board of education chair Rhonda Kershaw said at Monday s (May 10) board meeting. Her leadership in her role of director of finance has been exemplary and she will continue to be a strong asset in tackling the challenges over the coming years.” Interim superintendent Terry Sullivan said Cassidy has credibility with principals and staff across the district. “She has helped upgrade our systems, has had strategic involvement with the board and the leadership team and has achieved a lot during her tenure,” Sullivan said. “I am confident that Trina will continue to serve the district well as we transition out of the pandemic, prepare for increased student enrolment and begin a new strategic planning process.”
One notable new expense is the permanent addition of day-shift custodial staff who were initially added due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We ve only added in the things the board and senior administration board have deemed essential, SD73 finance director Trina Cassidy said. During the draft budget meeting, held last Thursday evening (April 8), SD73 superintendent Terry Sullivan remarked that he has held his position through three major viruses, including SARS in 2003, H1N1 in 2012 and now COVID-19. It s always challenging to try to peer into the future, Sullivan said. I think we must start to look beyond this year and be prepared for other viruses that my experiences and instincts tell me might come our way.