Ann Whiteaker has been acclaimed as the new chairwoman of the Greater Victoria School Board following Jordan Watters’ resignation last week.
Rob Paynter steps in as vice-chairman after incumbent Elaine Leonard also resigned.
Watters, a trustee since 2014 and a three-time chairwoman, resigned at the request of the Songhees Nation, the Esquimalt Nation, the Métis and the urban Indigenous community.
She said the wording in a PowerPoint presentation and a public survey during budget sessions was among the areas of contention, and that the process was seen by some as pitting communities against each other.
Whiteaker said the board will continue to move forward “taking lessons from the past year to collaboratively and collectively support students and staff — always striving to encourage a joy of lifelong learning and a positive sense of self for every student.”
