Long-time SD62 Trustee Denise Riley retiring from school board governance
by Mary P Brooke
Wednesday, September 26 ~ LANGFORD.
After 22 years serving on the Sooke School District 62 (SD62) Board of Education, Denise Riley is hanging up her governance hat.
Last night at the last SD62 public board meeting before the October 20 election, Riley was ‘lightly roasted’ by her comrades on the board and senior staff.
Secretary-Treasurer Harold Cull said Riley’s guidance was significant toward his getting settled in when he first joined SD62. The new Superintendent Scott Stinson poked fun: “I only get one and half months with Denise?”, as a way of honouring her stature and commitment at the board level.
Trustee Wendy Hobbs remarked on the bonds of friendship that developed with Denise on road trips to school district conferences. Chair Ravi Parmar noted in particular the standards of good governance that Riley has set during seven terms of office. Vice-Chair Bob Phillips (on the board as long as Denise) remarked on her strong presence and leadership over the years.
Riley was recognized in some casual smartphone-video clips from former SD62 Superintendent Jim Cambridge and Premier John Horgan.
And there was cake!
Riley has held one of the four seats within the Belmont Zone of SD62.