School board byelection results

A former Lester B. Pearson School Board commissioner will return in division 15, Beaconsfield North, and an experienced educator will take over division 12, Pierrefonds-Ile Bizard.

"I think people sort of went for the idea of fighting for English school books," said Don Rae, who grabbed 52 per cent out of 388 votes and defeated opponents Peter Rakobowchuk and Lana Roberts in Beaconsfield North.

Rae had vocalized his concern over the slow translation of English textbooks as well as the amount of money that private schools receive from the provincial government, stating a part of those funds should go toward the public system instead. "I think people sort of went for that idea," he said.

In 2007, during general Pearson school board elections, Rae had lost to Judy Kelley in another ward after serving one term as commissioner.

In Pierrefonds-Ile Bizard, the winner was Susan Williams, a long-time teacher, who defeated Domenico Pavone by grabbing 80 per cent of 220 votes.

The byelections were held to replace two commissioners who resigned. Sylvia Di Donato, who was vice-chairman, had represented Ward 12 since the formation of the Pearson board 10 years ago. Ralph Tietjen, who represented Ward 15, announced in April he was moving to Vancouver.