Brad Toone was elected to the Rural Caucus Board as Chair in the fall of 2023 following two years as the RCASB Vice Chair. He continues to be excited to be part of such a collaborative and engaged group. As a trustee of the Livingstone Range Division for almost 12 years, Brad has been a strong voice for rural education both locally and at the provincial level. He believes as a group, that the Rural Caucus has done a great job in advocating to the Minister of Education on current issues facing our members. He considers it an honour to be able to serve the students and the member boards of the Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards and looks forward to continuing this work as RCASB Chair.

My name is Scott MacPherson and I’m a school board trustee with the Prairie Land Public School Division. I run a cattle ranch in southeastern Alberta with my wife and five children. I currently also sit as a director on our UCP CA board, am a member of the Big Stone volunteer fire department, and am a member of the Big Stone Community Club. As well, I am involved with a few other education and community organizations. Rural education has always been a passion of mine over the years while sitting as School Council Chair and Vice Chair before running for a trustee position. My goal is to see rural education grow while building communities around the connection to their school. 

Phil Irwin is currently in his third year as Director of the Rural Caucus Board. As a trustee, former teacher, and administrator in rural Alberta for thirty-four years, Phil understands the diverse challenges associated with rural education. In addition, his experience mid-career as a business owner in Banff for thirteen years helps to give him a diverse background in relationship to effective leadership, governance, and stewardship. As a third-year trustee, Phil is all about putting the needs and interests of the students front and centre that rural school boards serve throughout the province. Phil’s oversight of the content, artwork, and design of the new Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards website has been his focus and passion on the Board the past eighteen months. Phil considers it an honour to be able to serve the students, all rural education stakeholders, and the Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards as one of its directors and overseer of the RCASB website for another year. 

I am Peace Country born and raised. My husband (Glenn) and I ranch north of Brownvale with our three children. This is my second term as a Trustee for Peace River School Division. My professional background is in healthcare as a Combined Lab and X-Ray Technician and I have always been passionate about rural education. I believe in equitable opportunities for our students. I like to consider issues from multiple perspectives and work towards creative solutions for practical and positive results. I am excited to work with the RCASB as a director.

Born and raised in Rural Alberta where we currently farm and raise Purebred Shorthorn Cattle. I worked for CP Rail for 36 years and then retired. I am married with 3 kids and 8 Grandkids. I’m also a business owner, a member of the Elks Club, Fire Dept, Ag Society, and the Beiseker Medical Board. I graduated from the Acme School where my kids also attended and some of my grandkids do as well. I have been a level 1 and 2 Baseball Umpire for years. I am and have been a Trustee for the Golden Hills School Division for the last 6 years and have 3 rural schools: Acme with 210 Students, Linden with 190 Students, and Carbon with 60 students. As you can see, I have a vested interest in Rural Education as we want students to stay in our community.

Every decision I make is for kids.