Two new faces will be leading the School District 43 (SD43) board of education.
After elections were held on Tuesday (Nov. 23), Port Coquitlam trustee Michael Thomas replaces Kerri Palmer Isaak (Anmore/Belcarra) as board chair of the Coquitlam school district.
The announcement was made in a statement on the SD43 website.
"I am humbled and honoured by the trust the board has placed in me," said Thomas.
"I would first like to express my gratitude to former Chair Trustee Kerri Palmer Isaak. Her calm and professional leadership has helped navigate our district through two very unprecedented and challenging years. [...] I look forward to working together as a team to advance our district's strategic vision and goals of Directions 2025."
Meanwhile, Coquitlam trustee Carol Cahoon was voted as the new vice-chair after Thomas earned his promotion.
Both trustees will hold the posts until the next civic election, slated for Oct. 15, 2022.
"I am proud of the continued support my fellow trustees and the staff of SD43 give to students each day," said Cahoon on her election.
"I look forward to taking on this leadership position and commit to working diligently for the betterment of the district."
On the board's work plan in the coming months is finalizing the next school operating budget, which opens for public discussion in February.
Approval is expected in April 2022.
SD43 is the third largest district in B.C. in terms of student enrollment with approximately 32,000 students in nearly 70 schools.
