Chinook's Edge School Board is pleased to announce that the winner of the division's Roy E. Cope Award for 2023 is Susan Roy. Roy was the Chinook's Edge Treasurer for almost 30 years, from 1995 when Chinook's Edge was formed from the amalgamation of Red Deer County and Mountain View, until she officially retired in 2021. Roy has continued to support the division in a part time capacity since 2021.
"I am humbled to receive this honour," said Susan Roy. "I think of all the great individuals who have won the award in the past, and I think, 'I am in the company of those people, who I truly respect. Wow.' It's quite an honour."
Prior to working for Chinook's Edge Roy helped with an audit for a school board. She enjoyed the project and thought that working for a school division might be something she would like. "I could do accounting work anywhere and in a variety of organizations, but I chose to spend my career in education because education really matters," said Roy. "Thank you to the Board for this honour. Thank you to everyone I've worked with throughout my career in Chinook's Edge. It's been an amazing and wonderful journey. I'm grateful to have been a part of such important work."
"The Board is pleased to honour Susan Roy with this award," said Holly Bilton, Chair, Chinook's Edge School Board. "Susan has given devoted, trustworthy, honest, patient, and highly responsive service to our division and our schools for many years. Her passion to make sure every possible dollar goes directly towards the students it is intended for has been appreciated. We are grateful to Susan for her exceptional contribution."
"Susan has made a tremendous difference to the division," said Kurt Sacher, Superintendent, Chinook's Edge. "We are fortunate that she chose to give her career, and her dedication, to Chinook's Edge. We have operated with the utmost integrity with our resources in large part because of Susan's leadership. Our intent to be transparent and efficient, focusing resources on students, was supported and guided whole-heartedly by Susan."
Sacher said, "Susan has been a champion for support staff throughout the division over many years, which we greatly appreciate. She has been well-respected throughout her career by our staff, administrators and by the Board. In recent months Susan went above and beyond, coming out of retirement to support our work. On behalf of Chinook's Edge students and staff, thank you so much for everything you've done for our division, and ultimately for the students we serve."
"As a school administrator, I've had the chance to work with Susan for many years and I'm very pleased to see her receive this award," said Jeff Thompson, Principal, Bowden Grandview School. "Susan has managed the division's finances with a high degree of integrity. School administrators trusted her because of this and because she was able to see the challenges schools were facing and was intentional about helping."
Thompson said, "Susan made the work of school administrators easier in many ways, including being willing to sit side-by-side with any of us to ensure we were successful managers of our resources. Susan was also a known champion for support staff and is respected for her work to ensure their voices were - and are - heard and their needs are met. Susan, thank you for your inspiring and significant contribution to our division."
Roy E. Cope was the Superintendent of Schools for the County of Red Deer prior to the creation of Chinook's Edge School Division in 1995. The award, named after Cope, is given to any person who, in the opinion of the Board, has made a significant contribution to the educational welfare of students.
January 13, 2025
