Clearview Public Schools
Mailbox 1720
Stettler, AB T0C 2L0
Patty Dittrick brings a wealth of experience to the position of President of the Public School Boards' Association of Alberta. She is currently serving her third term as a member of the Board of Trustees of Clearview Public Schools. During this time, Patty has served two years as Board Chair, and five years as Vice-Chair. Patty has also served as her Board’s delegate to the PSBC for the past two years, and is a member of the PSBAA Standing Committee on the Foundation Program.
Patty grew up in Calgary and completed her schooling there, including her post-secondary training in Broadcast Journalism. She has worked with the CTV affiliate in Regina, and worked as an anchor/reporter at radio stations in Grande Prairie and Peace River. In September of 2000 she and her family relocated to Stettler to pursue a new employment opportunity. She and her husband own and operate a consulting business working primarily with Municipal clients in the areas of planning and development, human resources and compensation review and long range strategic planning. Patty and her husband Dave have two children, both attending the public high school in Stettler.
GEORGE RICE
First Vice-President (to October 2011)
Edmonton Public Schools
One Kingsway Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5H 4G9
George was born and raised on a small family farm in the community of Carrot River in north-eastern Saskatchewan. He received a BA and a B.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan and began his teaching career in southwestern Saskatchewan in the small rural communities of Kyle and Marengo. In 1976 George was appointed principal of Ellerslie Elementary Junior High School, then in the County of Strathcona (1976 – 1982). During the next 30 years he served as a leadership consultant, associate superintendent and high school principal in Edmonton, retiring as the principal of McNally High School in 2007. In the fall of 2007 George was elected as a public school trustee.
George has had the honour of having his work in education recognized on a number of occasions. Maclean’s Magazine named him a “Stellar Principal” in 2004 and he was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 for his work in the McNally School community. In 2006 he was selected as a finalist in the Alberta Excellence in Teaching program.
George’s twin daughters are both graduates of the public education system. George has also served as a member of the Canadian Army Reserve for over 35 years, retiring in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4PPCLI).
KAREN PROKOPOWICH
Second Vice-President (to October 2010)
Grande Prairie Public School District
No. 2357
10213 – 99 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2H3
Karen been married to Mel for 42 years and they have lived in Grande Prairie for 33 years. They have one daughter, Ronali, who is a high school science teacher with Edmonton Public Schools. Their granddaughter Abby is seven years old and is in Grade 2 in Sherwood Park.
Karen has been a small business owner/operator for the past 20 years. She also works as a fitness trainer at a local gym, where she has been helping others for the past six years.
Karen has always been active in education, beginning with school councils where she held such positions as chair and treasurer for 12 years. Currently, she is serving her fourth term as a trustee and her second year as Chair of the Grande Prairie Public School District. She has also been Grande Prairie’s Public School Boards Council (PSBC) Representative since the council’s inception. Karen is a member of the Alberta Education’s School Library Advisory Committee, which is working on a policy to update the 1984 School Libraries Act. She also chaired the PSBAA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Leadership Development and currently sits on the Executive Director Search Committee.
Red Deer Public Schools
4747 – 53 Street
Red Deer, AB T4N 2E6
Lawrence Lee is married to his wonderful wife, Betty for 20 years and has been a Trustee with Red Deer Public Schools for the past 5 years. During this time he has also served as the delegate to the PSBAA and been a member of the PSBC since its inception. He has sat on the Financial Review Committee of the PSBAA for the past 3 years and also sat on the Association’s Ad hoc Elections Committee during this current year.
Lawrence has two daughters in the public school system, one in grade 8 and the other in grade 10. He is active in the community sitting on the board of the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools and currently holds the position of Vice-President of the Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society.
Lawrence is employed as the Director of Operations for the Doctors Eyecare Network. He reports directly to a board of optometrists and is responsible for program delivery, contract negotiations, education, and supplier relations to over 200 independently owned optometric practices. During his spare time Lawrence enjoys traveling, golfing and spending time with his family.
