A veteran school trustee wants to continue giving local school boards a voice at the provincial level.

Patty Wiebe has served as a trustee in Border Land School Division for 16 years (4 terms) and as Region 2 Director for the Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) for 4 years (2 terms), and now she's set her sights on one of two vice president posts with the MSBA. Wiebe has let her name stand in the election for Vice-President - fewer than 6,000 students.

"I have truly enjoyed the last four years working with the executive and advocating for education at the provincial level," said Wiebe.

With the province launching a sweeping review of Manitoba's education system, she added the MSBA has done a lot of work recently in representing that local voice to government.

Wiebe said she is quite passionate about the organization's Local Voices, Local Choices campaign that was launched in response to the education review, noting the initiative got it roots in Region 2 of the MSBA.

"It's very important to me to continue that. I feel I'm very passionate and that passion and the experience that I have will only benefit the table officers at the executive level."

She encourages all members of the public to participate in the review and in the consultations hosted by their local school board.

"Part of the review is education-based and there's always something that education can do better," said Wiebe. "Parents and teachers and all community members have points that they can contribute."

While other issues may arise over the next term, Wiebe feels the education review will require most of the MSBA's attention in making sure each school board in Manitoba is properly informed and communicating the correct information to local stakeholders.

Additionally, if elected, Wiebe pledges to continue working with all member boards in promoting public education with a vision of strong communication and responsible use of membership dollars.

According to the MSBA web site, Floyd Martens of the Mountain View School Division is also in the running for the position.

MSBA members will cast their votes on this ballot and other executive spots at a convention planned for mid-March.