The Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District opted to retain Candace Spilsbury as board chair during the open board meeting on Nov. 3.
While trustees serve four-year terms after being voted in, there is a vote for executive members each year. The board again voted Spilsbury as chair and Barb de Groot as vice chair. This is Spilsbury’s fourth term as a trustee on the Board of Education and ninth term as board chair.
The district has recently launched a new strategic plan, ‘Beyond Education’, developed and unveiled a new logo, navigated the uncertain times COVID-19 has brought and announced the long-awaited plans for a new Cowichan Secondary School.
Related: Board Of Education unveils new school district logo
The board has also appointed the province’s first full-time District Elder and Knowledge Keeper, refocused efforts to bring mental health, inclusion, and Indigenous understandings into professional development and successfully increased child care spaces and early learning opportunities in the district.
“This year has presented challenges like no other,” noted Spilsbury. “COVID-19 made us refocus efforts both within and beyond our schools. We have had to be agile, compassionate and understanding in the ways in which we approach every day. I am extremely proud of the work our board has done and thankful for our community partners who support us in our important work.”
In addition to her role as board chair for the district, Spilsbury serves as president of the Vancouver Island School Trustees Association.
