Tracey McMurchy is the Regina Board of Education trustee for Subdivision 2.
I was elected to the Board of Trustees in a by-election in October of 2022, which makes me the newest member of the Board. It’s been a very interesting, wonderful and busy year and a half. As a board, we have faced a number of challenging issues. In addition to contributing to the decision-making, I continue to learn every day and build relationships wherever I go.
My goal as a trustee—and as a parent of two children in Regina Public Schools—is to help ensure the Board delivers competent and compassionate leadership to the school division. It’s something I feel strongly about because of my own experience in the school system.
My family came to Canada as refugees in 1980. We settled in Regina, and for the first few years, we struggled and faced the challenges many newcomers do in a new country. We moved often in search of more affordable housing and that meant I had to change schools each time. I attended seven different elementary schools. While that sounds like it would be a difficult experience, my memories of those times are happy ones. Each new school felt safe and welcoming, thanks to wonderful teachers and friends who helped me adjust. I felt like I belonged. Now, as a trustee, I want to ensure the Board’s decisions foster a school environment that makes all students feel as safe and welcome as I did.
I graduated from the University of Regina with a degree in Business Administration. I later received my Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Over the course of more than two decades in the public service, I have had the opportunity to work in policy development, health promotion, education funding and red tape reduction. I’ve even had the opportunity to teach health education classes to future teachers at the University of Regina.
My professional background has helped prepare me for the work I do as a trustee. But even more important are the connections with the people who are directly engaged in our schools. I make an effort to attend as many School Community Council (SCC) meetings as possible, as it gives me the chance to connect with and hear from parents, families, community members, staff and school administrators in my subdivision. SCCs find creative and innovative ways to engage the community, promote their schools, show appreciation to school staff, as well as plan fun events and activities for the students and families.
To support, encourage and promote SCCs, Trustee Adam Hicks and I organized an SCC Summit, where we brought together members from the SCCs in our respective subdivisions for collaborative conversations on enhancing the educational experience for our students through meaningful discussions and sharing of best practices. We discussed approaches to community engagement, SCC membership and how to increase it, events and fundraising ideas. It also gave members an opportunity to network and learn from each other.
I am currently chair of the Board’s Strategic Engagement and Advocacy Committee and am on the SCC Working Advisory Group of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).
In addition to my commitment to the work of the Board, community engagement and ensuring students feel safe and a sense of belonging, I also dedicate my time and heart into promoting and supporting music and arts programs and French Immersion programming. These are also incredible in helping students in their learning, growth and development.
I am honoured to serve on the Regina Public School Board, and I look forward to a very busy and exciting year.
Subdivision 2 schools:
- Arcola Community School
- Balfour Collegiate
- Campbell Collegiate
- Douglas Park School
- Grant Road School
- École Massey School
- Marion McVeety School
- Thomson Community School
