A familiar face and a newer one will lead the St. James-Assiniboia School Division School Board for the 2024-2025 school year. Trustee Holly Hunter was re-elected Chair for a second consecutive term at the annual meeting of the Board on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Trustees voted Tara Smith into the Vice Chair position. Trustees serve for one year in these executive positions.

Holly Hunter has previously served as Chair (2023-2024), Vice Chair (2022-2023) and has also held numerous committee roles including Chair of the former Education Committee (2020-2022). Hunter holds a Master of Education degree and currently works as a teacher in the public education system. Holly was first elected to represent constituents of the West Ward in 2018. She is a life-long resident of St. James.

Tara Smith has previously served as the Chair of the Community Engagement Committee (2023-2024), and as a member of the Human Resources/Governance Standing Committee (2022-2023). She has also represented the Board on the Divisional Early Childhood Education Committee and the Safe and Caring Schools Committee. First elected in 2022, Tara represents the East Ward and is a long-time member of the St. James community. Tara is a Winnipeg educator and proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. She has two children currently attending schools in SJASD.

Both Holly and Tara are looking forward to serving the community for the 2024-2025 school year.

“I look forward to working with my fellow trustees to ensure that we are living up to provide meaningful, safe and caring educational environment so that all students are prepared to be responsible citizens in a democratic society," says Holly.

“I am grateful for the opportunity and would like to thank my fellow trustees for their support. As Vice Chair, I pledge to contribute my utmost effort towards the implementation of our strategic plan, advocate for every student, and ensure that all voices are considered in our decision-making process," says Tara.

Many thanks to Sandra Lethbridge for serving as the SJASD School Board Vice Chair for the 2023-2024 school year. Sandra continues to serve the residents of the West Ward.

Find out more about Holly and Tara by visiting the Governance section of our website.

In October, Trustees will vote for annual committee roles.

Congratulations to Holly and Tara on your critical roles in SJASD.