MEI appoints administrative team

ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

MEI was first established as a secondary school in 1944, operating grades 7-13 until 1962, when grade 13 was dropped by the Ministry of Education. Grade 7 was moved to the elementary school level several years later, and since 1966 MEI has offered grades 8-12. In 1980, a new campus was built on the intersection of Clearbrook and Downes Roads in Abbotsford; two additions have increased the school's original capacity from 625 to 850.

Growing interest by the community and supporting churches led to the establishment of an elementary school on the campus in 1993. Kindergarten and grade 1 were offered in a portable that first year, with one grade and one portable being added each year until a permanent building could be constructed. This was completed in August, 1997, and MEI Elementary has enjoyed a busy year getting organized with 400 students from kindergarten to grade 7. Total enrollment for both schools for 1998-99 presently stands at 1270, making MEI the largest private school in B.C.

Leo Regehr has been principal of the secondary school since 1990. His intention to retire from this position effective June 30, 1998 led to the reorganization plan initiated by the MEI Board. Regehr has been at MEI for 26 years, as a senior mathematics teacher 1969-1977 and as vice-principal 1977-1987. After an interlude of three years as principal of Seacliff Christian School in Richmond, B.C., he returned to MEI as principal in 1990. Regehr also acted as the elementary principal when the elementary school opened in portable classrooms in 1993.

In view of the fact that the two schools share one campus as well as the same support, and board structure, the Board executive tabled a proposal that, upon Regehr's retirement, the administrative organization of the school be changed to allow both schools to be run according to a common vision and leadership. To this end, the Board has appointed Peter Froese, present principal of MEI Elementary, to the position of principal.

Peter is a 23-year veteran in education, with experience in Richmond (four years), Abbotsford (14 years), Department of National Defence Schools Overseas in Germany (four years) and MEI Elementary (one year). He has served as vice-principal and principal at several Abbotsford district schools.

Each of the schools within the MEI organization will have an associate principal in charge of daily operations. In the high school, the associate principal will be Harv Wiens, who has a long history with the school, first as a grad of 1975, then as business education teacher 1982-1990, and most recently as vice-principal since 1990.

In the elementary school, David Erickson, who taught grade 6/7 this past year, will take the position of associate principal. Before his involvement with MEI, Erickson was employed by Langley School District for 18 years as a teacher and vice-principal.

In addition, the high school will have a half-time vice-principal in the person of David Loewen, also an alumnus of 1967. Loewen has taught social studies and history at MEI since 1982, after teaching three years in Carmen, Man. and two years in Australia. Loewen has also spent several years with Mennonite Central Committee in Congo, and is deeply involved in MEI's missions trips program.

The school's mission statement is to "prepare young people to strive for excellence in all things and . . . (to) contribute . . . society as faithful disciples of Christ."

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