The School District 27 (SD27) inaugural meeting of the new board was held Dec. 5, with a large contingent of visitors present to witness it.
As part of its initial order of business, the new board elected Trustee Will Van Osch as chair and Trustee Pattie Baker as vice-chair, both based in the school district's South End.
Van Osch says their location base won't make a difference, as the SD27 board is always "well balanced" for location and trustee perspectives.
"I'm honoured [the board] would put the confidence in me. I have a fair amount of experience and hope to bring that to the table."
The new board "seems like a really good group of people," he says, adding it is "exciting" and he looks forward to working with them.
"There is a whole fresh new perspective that's coming forward and I think everybody will work together well."
Van Osch notes some ongoing issues from the previous board will be examined further for potential changes, such as busing and cross-boundary transfers.
He also expects many improvement initiatives will come from both the incumbent and the newly elected trustees, which he notes are of varied interests.
"We'll continue what we were doing and I'm sure it will be infused with ideas and initiatives from the new board."
Baker says she also has confidence in the new board of trustees.
"It is a privilege and honour to be able to support the work of [SD27] by serving as vice-chair.
"Working alongside chair Van Osch, the board and our competent parents, communities and administrative staff, I am confident that we, as your newly elected board of education, will be able to make the necessary decisions that will be required to keep this district moving forward to continue to enhance our students' achievement."