Kim Stranden elected new board chair of Saskatoon Public Schools

Saskatchewan’s largest school division has a new board chair.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, Ward 4 Trustee Kim Stranden was elected to serve as chair of Saskatoon Public Schools for the 2023-24 academic year.

She takes over from Colleen MacPherson, who chose to step down as chair after holding the position since 2019. MacPherson will continue to serve on the board as the trustee for Ward 5.

Stranden said she’s excited and “deeply honoured” to take on the role.

“This appointment is not just a personal milestone but a testament to our collective commitment to education and I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me,” Stranden said in a statement.

“I promise to be a passionate advocate for the values of inclusivity, diversity, and excellence in education.”

MacPherson, who was awarded the Canadian Teachers’ Federation’s award for public education advocacy in July, said she’s proud of what the division has accomplished over the past four years.

“The need for advocacy, support and strong leadership in education has never been greater and I have no doubt that Kim is ready to lead this board into the next chapter,” MacPherson said in a statement.

Shane Skjerven, the division’s director of education, thanked MacPherson for her years of service as chair, saying she’s been “a tremendous advocate and a strong voice” during her tenure.

“We are incredibly grateful to Colleen and on behalf of Saskatoon Public Schools, we thank her for her leadership and her guidance,” Skjerven said. “We know that she will continue to support her ward and the board as we embark on this new year.”