The School District 27 board of education has elected 108 Mile Trustee Tanya Guenther as its new chair and Williams Lake trustee Doug Neufeld as vice-chair.
The board election of officers was held during the open board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26 rather than during a closed meeting of the board as has been past practice.
Forest Grove Trustee Will Van Osch stepped down as chair in June, leaving the position to then vice-chair West Chilcotin Trustee Joyce Cooper, who declined a nomination to continue on as chair.
The election for chair came down to a vote between nominees Guenther and Williams Lake Fringe Area Trustee Sheila Boehm.
Superintendent of Schools Mark Thiessen and Executive Assistant Connee Newberry counted the ballots noting there were more than 50 per cent of votes for Guenther.
In her pre-election speech Guenther said she was honoured to be nominated and had the time and a strong understanding of parliamentary procedure that would be needed as chair.
Van Osch said he stepped down in June because he doesn’t plan to run for re-election as trustee in the next election and wanted to give someone else the opportunity to be chair.
“I don’t think I will run again and it is nice to give someone else a chance before my term is over,” Van Osch said.
Williams Lake Trustee Doug Neufeld was elected vice-chair by acclamation, after Boehm declined a nomination for the position.
The other elected positions were also filled by acclamation.
Cooper will represent the board on the B.C. School Trustee Association board and Boehm will be the alternate.
150 Mile House Trustee Jackie Austin will be the board representative for the B.C. Public School Employers Association and Guenther will be the alternate.