Dianne Hahn is the new chair of the Chinook School Division Board of Education.
The now three term trustee and former vice chair's nomination went unopposed.
"I'm super excited to have the nomination of the board members to take the role of the chair going forward over the next year," Hahn said. "That is a very humbling moment. I must say it's a real honor to have that confidence from the other board members."
Hahn will bring some of the lessons she learned from previous chair Kim Pridmore into the role.
"Oh man, I've learned so many things from Kim that we don't have enough time to stand here," Hahn said. "Kim was a very good chair, very well informed, very well versed, very organized and just really prepared for the meetings and had the best interest of Chinook at her heart."
Rachelle Patzer, who is starting her second term as a trustee, will replace Hahn as vice chair.
"I'm excited to have a new challenge and a new role on the board," Patzer said after her successful nomination. "I think the first term there is lots to be learned and now I'm moving in with a deeper understanding of what we do as a board. I really enjoy Dianne, and I think we'll work well together."
There are three new faces on the board this term. Tene Schneider in Sudbivision 1, Derek Moorhead in Subdivision 5 and Ron Caswell in Subdivision 8.
"I think it's exciting to have some new faces around the table," Hahn said. "We've had some excellent board members sitting around that table that will no longer be with us and that's a loss to us. But I also think it's exciting to have some new phases, probably some new ideas, some new things that possibly we have never even thought about. It always takes you a little while to get everybody going up to speed and catching up, but I think it's exciting. I'm looking forward to it."
Hahn will continue advocating for more funding from the provincial government.
"I think as chair you're the voice of the board," she said. "I think there is a responsibility there that you have to take on, but it's not just the chair that does that. It's all the board members that carries that message."
Hahn is hopeful that Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley's new role as Minister of Education could mean more opportunity for in person advocacy.
Hahn is also an administrator for the RM of Excelsior No 166. She believes her experience in that role will help her navigate aspects of the job as board chair.
Each trustee signed their oath of office during yesterday's meeting. You can click here to see a listing and profiles for all trustees.