Chinook School Division Trustee Larry Caswell was recently recognized for his outstanding service and significant contribution to the youth of the southwest and the province over the past 40 years. Larry accepted the SSBA Award of Distinction during a special banquet for the Saskatchewan School Boards Association Fall General Assembly Friday evening.

“On behalf of our Board, we are proud to see Larry recognized for his dedication to education. He has an unrivalled passion for student success and it is an honour to serve as a trustee with him,” said Kim Pridmore, Chair of Chinook Board of Education.

Larry’s first foray into school board affairs was on his district’s local school board – a forerunner of today’s SCCs – in 1978. He was first elected as a trustee in 1988 and has held that position for 28 of the past 30 years through evolutions of education in the province. Larry says his work has been enriched by the many outstanding young men and women he has watched grow and blossom and the many educators and trustees he has been lucky to work beside and learn from.

“I have known Larry personally and professionally for the past 16 years and I consider him an exemplary person who is a well-respected advocate for children. One of the many remarkable legacies that Larry has left is Maverick High School,” said Kyle McIntyre, Director of Education for Chinook, “He has had a very positive impact on youth in our area of the province and continues to serve as a Chinook trustee with commitment, passion and enthusiasm.”

Larry has served as chair, vice-chair, on committees and contributed at the provincial level. He is credited with helping lead a number of different initiatives of his board. He believes the trustees of our province have proudly and effectively answered the challenges facing us and states it is a privilege to have stood among these defenders of our children and families. Larry and his wife Bev have five children and 14.9 grandchildren, many which have or are attending school systems he has been part of. His family was instrumental in his entrance into school politics.

The Chinook Board of Education and Administration would like to offer a heartfelt congratulations to Larry Caswell on receiving this well-deserved award. Larry is truly a champion for student learning and vulnerable students, a strong advocate for rural education and a positive change leader.