The full MVSD school board convened for the first time last night.
The Meeting ran as scheduled but one item from the recent by-election was brought to the Table.
In the recent election, there was some confusion around representation.
Returning officer Kirk Dawson reported that Tootinaowaziibeeng was a point of confusion, as many voters, nominees, and election officials were unsure if that population could vote.
As an addition to the orders of business, newly elected Jarri Thompson brought this issue to light, as well as the beginnings of solutions.
Scott Lynxleg, another new board member agreed, as he's received feedback from his neighbors in Tootinaowaziibeeng.
"They just want to be heard, they just want to be involved, they want to be part of it. This election really turned the tides of it. That's why we're here, why I'm here, because if you don't know, you don't ask. I think that's going to be addressed in a good way."
According to statistics from Board Chair Jason Gryba, 37% of students in MVSD self-identify as Indigenous, and this move to add this new ward would be a step to offer more representation.
There were also discussions of new programming and upgrades to heating and lighting systems division-wide.
Currently, seven of the sixteen schools in MVSD are using very old pneumatic systems for heating and cooling.
Prospective upgrades are being assessed, and the funding for it will primarily be covered through grants from the Manitoba Government.
