1. Please provide a short biography. Why have you chosen to run for trustee?
Hello My name is Dick Mastel, candidate for re-election for the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education. I am just completing my fourth term and eager to serve another term. I believe strongly in Catholic education. We have been under attack in the past and will, no doubt, be under attack again in the future. We must be on constant guard to remind government of our constitutional right to exist. But we must also be different, different in attitude, and lifestyle, and practice. We must be bold in our prayer practice in the classroom and permeate our faith throughout our curriculum on a daily basis. We cannot become a “public school with a crucifix at the door”. Permeation is what makes us different and we must never lose site of our obligation to meet our faith requirement . Catholic schools in Alberta have a rich history and we must do our utmost to preserve it.
I have had the pleasure of serving on the Board for four terms and during that time have served in many capacities. I have served as the representative to the Alberta Catholic School Trustee’s Association, (ACSTA) for ten years, six years on the negotiating team for CUPE and on the Teacher Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) for four years. I have served as board chair for six years and also the rep to Zone 6 for four years. I attend the ACSTA Blueprints meetings held in Kananaskis each year. That is our annual business meeting plus also one day of liturgical retreat. I am active in the parish community. I have served as eucharistic minister for the last five years. I also am a regular attendee at the ASBA Spring and Fall general meetings. It’s important to attend these gatherings to gain a perspective on the big picture in education. I am an active and committed trustee working to promote our district and catholic education in the province.
I would be honored and humbled to receive your vote to continue to serve you on the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education.
2. What are your top three priorities for your division, and how would you work to meet those needs?3. How would you aim to attract and retain students within your division?
