Trustee Resigns Forcing By-election

“I think people make decisions that are best for their families but are not always best for their families,” Todd Johnson the newly appointed Manager of Transportation and former trustee with the Prairie South School Division (PSSD) told MJ Independent.

Johnson who was elected to PSSD in November 2020 said the decision was a hard one to make.

It took a lot of soul searching to make but at the end of the day it came down what best fit into his skill set, career development, family life and contributing back to the community,” he said.

“It was a tough decision to step down and I really enjoyed that (school trustee) position,” he said, adding “in my time with the school board I really enjoyed time. You learn so much and contribute on the board.”

Asked the inevitable, whether he used his position as trustee to gain a management position with Prairie South Johnson emphatically denied that was the case.

He pointed to his educational and employment background why he fit the position and there were no political dealings going on in his selection.

Johnson had recently resigned his position after four years as general manager with the Wakamow Valley Authority to take a position with the Saskatchewan Health District.

He made his decision to apply for the Transportation Manager when the position became available became available at Prairie South.

A position Johnson said he felt he was a good fit and qualified for.

He holds a Masters degree in Business from the University of Regina and has three diplomas from SIAST (Sask Polytechnic).

“I’m completely qualified for the position.”

Johnson said he understood being questioned by the media about his resignation and then seeking employment with Prairie South. He said he was willing to answer any questions about it.

His running for and becoming a Trustee at Prairie South was a decision he made as a way to give back and help out the community.

Johnson has been and is active on numerous boards in Moose Jaw.

“It was a tough decision to resign. I ran fully intending on finishing out my term.”

Johnson said he based his decision on numerous factors such as his own livelihood, his family, the effects upon the family, how it would effect the Board and the Prairir South School Division.

“For myself I definitely thought about the effects it would have for Prairie South and my family as well.”

Asked if he took into consideration the financial cost of holding a by-election to Prairie South Johnson said it was one thing he considered.

“I think this part (the financial cost of holding a byelection) was one of the considerations I took into account making the decision that much harder,” he said, adding “as a Trustee and on other boards I have been part of fiscal responsibilities were always in the forefront when I discussed things at the table.”

Johnson said once he made the decision to apply for the job he resigned as a Prairie South Trustee in advance of his applying for the position.

The position was advertised and a competitively filled.

Asked if he knew how many other applicants there were for the position Johnson said he didn’t but also stated it was not a question he asked when he was interviewed for the position.

He also said he informed the other Prairie South Trustees about his resignation and they had wished him well.

“It was a very fantastic response from the Board. I have had a great professional relationship with them…it was very humbling what other board members had to say “

Johnson said he was OK with MJ Independent discussing the issue with his new employer Prairie South.

Ryan Boughen Superintendent for PSSD said Johnson is not the only Trustee to ever resign from Prairie South.

Due to Johnson seeking employment with Prairie South he cannot be a trustee in the division while being an employee due to a vested interest.

If he was allowed to stay on as a trustee he would be responsible for setting policies and wages surrounding his job which legislation does not allow in all levels of Canadian politics.

Boughen said Johnson's resignation triggered a by-election to elect a new trustee and the position cannot be left vacant.

Trustees have already made the decision to hold a by-election on Thursday March 9, 2023 with nominations accepted until 4 pm February 2, 2023 at the 9th Avenue NW Prairie South division office.

Due to the anticipated low voter turnout - byelections are traditionally see low voter turnouts - Prairie South decided to run their own election. Traditionally the local school divisions contract their elections out to be ran by the City of Moose Jaw.

The cost of the election is estimated to be less than $5,000 as Prairie South would be holding it at their schools and using paper ballots.

Boughen said “the last time we held a byelection we had 120 people vote but hopefully there is more interest this time around.”

Asked if Prairie South would be having more than a few schools open to vote - given the fact the critics point out the City's system of voting through a limited number of polling stations than in the past is a type of voter suppression Boughen said “we will open as many polling stations as necessary if there is interest there. We want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to vote.”

He encouraged people to run or come out and vote in the March by-election.