Julia Fraser is the new chair of the Central Okanagan Board of Education. 

Fraser takes over from Lee-Ann Tiede, who after two years as chair opted to step aside and continue to serve as a school board trustee.

Tiede nominated Fraser for the chair position, while trustee Valene Johnson nominated trustee Wayne Broughton.

The vote was held among the school trustees at the annual general meeting for the Central Okanagan Board of Education on Wednesday afternoon. 

Fraser was announced as the winner in the secret ballot vote, but the actual vote count was not released.

Trustee Chantelle Desrosiers did nominate Tiede for the chair position, but Tiede declined, which was the first public indication that she did not intend to serve a third term as chair. 

In her acceptance speech to trustees, Fraser said her past experience as vice-chair, as chair of the school board's various committees, and her overall 14 years serving as an elected trustee would serve her well as the new board of education chair. 

"As board chair, my priorities are focused on addressing critical needs within the district," she said. 

"I am concerned with working collaboratively with trustees, district leaders and partner groups to ensure a unified voice advocating for resources that support students, staff and families."

She cited her key areas of concern moving forward as advocating for new capital projects to address pressing over-capacity school issues; securing increased operational funding to support education programs, staffing and student resources; fostering a collaborative environment with all education stakeholders; enhancing student success prioritizing academic, social and emotional well-being; and promoting community engagement and transparency. 

Fraser and other trustees also noted the 2024-25 school year will offer challenges, beginning with hiring a new superintendent/CEO given Kevin Kaardal has announced his retirement effective next June, fiscal pressures combined with a growing annual enrolment that is placing pressure on existing school student capacities, and continuing to seek common ground for discussion on a school board that is divided on some issues.

"We all know there are partisan divides on some issues but we have to continue to reach across those issues to do what is in the best interests of our students being our primary concern," said Broughton, reiterating the need to find common ground on important decisions facing the school district in the 2024-25 school year.

While saying he is proud of the school district and what has been accomplished under the board of education's direction, he noted Kaardal's pending retirement, saying "it is important for us to find someone who can fill his big shoes." 

For her part, Fraser notes how she looks forward to collaborating with students, parents and education stakeholder advocates to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

"I promise to do the very best to represent our board with thoughtfulness and care," Fraser said. 

In other votes, for the position of vice-chair, there were two nominees, Johnson and Lisa Guderyan, with the Peachland trustee Guderyan being elected. 

For the committee chair positions, elected were Lake Country trustee Amy Geistlinger for education and student services by acclamation; Tiede for finance and planning, winning out over co-nominee Broughton; and Johnson for policy by acclamation.

Tiede was also elected chair of the executive staff management committee, challenged for the posting by co-nominee Johnson.  

The board also upheld an earlier board decision to hold board of education meetings now once a month, except for September and June, and create more efficiencies in the committee structure.

In her closing remarks as chair, Tiede cited the accomplishments of the school district during her two years as board chair, of her intent to prioritize academics and bringing the school trustees together in a positive debating environment and the graduation rates of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students which both exceed the provincial average.

She said the message for trustees is "their work truly makes a difference" in public education.