Farewell to Trustees Sissons and Forbes

As the Medicine Hat Public School Division welcomes newly elected trustees to the Board, we also take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation to two outgoing trustees whose service has left a lasting impact: Yvonne Sissons and Deborah Forbes.
Both Yvonne and Deborah have served with dedication, integrity, and a passionate commitment to public education. Their thoughtful leadership has guided MHPSD through important decisions and initiatives, always with students at the center.

Yvonne is informed, approachable, open-minded, and dedicated to improving the best interests of students, families, and staff. Her perspective was enriched by her professional experience as a registered nurse and her lived experience as a mother of three children attending public school in Medicine Hat. She exemplified what it means to serve with purpose. From policy development to community engagement, Yvonne’s voice reflected the will of the parents she served and shaped the direction of our division with clarity and compassion. 

As a tremendous asset to the board, Yvonne lead with an analytical and creative approach. Her contributions were consistently thoughtful and reasonable, always offering a critically considered response. 

Deborah served on the MHPSD Board of Trustees for an incredible 27 years. Her legacy includes decades of thoughtful governance, advocacy for the arts and inclusive education, and a steadfast commitment to the students and families of Medicine Hat. 
Deborah brought creativity, insight, and a passionate spark to her role as trustee, always showing up as uniquely herself, blending intellect with imagination and an unstoppable protection for the students we serve. Deborah embodies the notion that public schools are a place for everyone to learn, to grow, to make a better world.

“Yvonne and Deborah have been pillars of our board,” said Tracy Hensel, Superintendent of Schools. “Their contributions reflect a genuine care for our school communities and a belief in the power of education to transform lives. We thank them for their service and wish them continued success in all that lies ahead.”

We invite our community to join us in thanking them for their years of service. Their legacy will continue to inspire the work of the board and the community of Medicine Hat.