91原创 school trustee Holly Dickinson has left the Contract with 91原创 slate a little over a year after winning election to the board.
In an email and Facebook post on Dec. 23, Dickinson announced she was leaving CWL, citing 鈥渇undamental differences in vision and values.鈥�
Contract with 91原创 was formed by 91原创 Township Mayor Eric Woodward for the 2022 elections. It currently holds a majority of five out of nine seats on the Township council.
Dickinson expanded on her initial statement by saying that she joined CWL believing it would be a collaborative team.
鈥淯nfortunately that hasn鈥檛 been the case,鈥� Dickinson told the 91原创 Advance Times in an email.
鈥淥ver the last year it became clear that Woodward and I have different beliefs around governance,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not saying one style is better than another, but is clear that our styles don鈥檛 mesh well together.鈥�
She said she was excited to continue working with Trustees Joel Neufeld and Sarb Rai, who both ran as CWL members, as well as the rest of the school board.
鈥淲e have a great board that I鈥檓 proud to be apart of,鈥� Dickinson said.
She expressed her gratitude to have been part of CWL.
鈥淚 believe this decision will allow me to better represent the interests and aspirations of my constituents,鈥� Dickinson wrote in her announcement about leaving the group.
鈥淚 respect Ms. Dickinson鈥檚 decision,鈥� said Woodward when asked about her departure.
Later he expanded on his statement.
鈥淎t the beginning of the term Ms. Dickinson agreed to rotate the vice-chair position with Joel Neufeld and Sarb Rai for years two and three of the term. Having now refused to follow through on that, I definitely think it鈥檚 best for her to move on,鈥� Woodward said.
He said there were key commitments made to voters during the last election, including on D.W. Poppy Secondary and Willoughby Elementary, that have been challenging to advance so far.
鈥淭he insinuation that my decision to leave the CWL had anything to do with conflict with my fellow school board members is absolutely untrue,鈥� Dickinson said, responding to Woodward鈥檚 comments. 鈥淛oel, Sarb, and I work very well together and we are all committed to doing what鈥檚 best for the students and the community.鈥�
She noted that the post of vice-chair is voted for by the whole board.
鈥淚t is a surprise that a the Mayor of Township of 91原创 is concerned about the election of vice-chair for the school board,鈥� Dickinson said.
READ ALSO: Contract with 91原创 takes three seats on school board
Because the 91原创 School District includes both City and Township, there are two elections for trustees. Two trustee seats are elected in the City, and five in the Township.
The current chair of the school board is Candy Ashdown, a City trustee.
