Steinbach, MB, July 8, 2026 — The ��ܽ��Ƶ Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Clace as Superintendent-CEO, with an anticipated start date on or before January 1, 2027.

With 23 years of leadership experience in K–12 and post-secondary education, Kevin brings extensive experience in educational leadership, fiscal management, strategic planning, student services, staff development, and program implementation to his new role.

Kevin is currently the Superintendent-CEO of Prairie Rose School Division, a position he has held since 2024. In this role, he provides leadership across the division, including educational programming, operations, finance, staffing, student services, program development, and internal and external partnerships. Before joining Prairie Rose School Division, he served as Dean of the University of Winnipeg Collegiate from 2018 to 2024, where he was responsible for Collegiate operations, including the Grades 9–12 regular program, international programming, on-campus residence, and related domestic and international partnerships.

Kevin also served as principal at three Red River Valley School Division schools: Morris School from 2012 to 2018, Rosenort School from 2007 to 2012, and Lowe Farm School from 2003 to 2007. Earlier in his career, he held teaching positions at Winkler Elementary School in Garden Valley School Division and Rosenort Elementary School in Morris-Macdonald School Division.

In addition to his divisional and school leadership roles, Kevin has served on several provincial committees through the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents. He also previously served one term as a town councillor in Morris, Manitoba.

“We are excited to welcome Kevin to ��ܽ��Ƶ,” said Board Chair Dallas Wiebe. “Kevin is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who is committed to building effective teams, supporting staff, and strengthening the partnerships that help students succeed. His vision for a growing division, grounded in excellence, innovative programming, and continuous improvement in learning for all, aligns well with the needs of our students, staff, and communities.”

Kevin holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Dakota, as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba.

The Board of Trustees congratulates Kevin on his appointment and wishes him all the best as he prepares to begin his new role with ��ܽ��Ƶ.

Steinbach, MB, July 8, 2026 — The ��ܽ��Ƶ Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Vince Hiebert as Assistant Superintendent, effective September 1, 2026.

With 20 years of experience in public education, including 11 years in school and divisional leadership roles, Vince has demonstrated a strong commitment to building positive school cultures, developing staff capacity, and creating conditions that allow students and educators to thrive.

Vince is currently the principal of Woodlawn School, a position he has held since 2024. Before becoming principal of Woodlawn School, he served as principal of Elmdale School from 2018 to 2024, vice-principal and learning support teacher at Blumenort School from 2015 to 2018, and curriculum support teacher for ��ܽ��Ƶ from 2013 to 2015. His classroom teaching experience also includes roles at Clearspring Middle School from 2012 to 2015 and Woodlawn School from 2007 to 2012. Before joining ��ܽ��Ƶ in 2007, he taught in Sunrise School Division.

“We are pleased to welcome Vince to this new leadership role,” said Board Chair Dallas Wiebe. “Vince is a thoughtful and relational leader with a strong ability to build relationships and lead change. His experience serving in multiple leadership and support roles within ��ܽ��Ƶ, along with his commitment to positive school cultures and learning environments, makes him well-suited for this position.”

Vince holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in School Leadership and Administration. He is currently pursuing a Master of Management from Memorial University.

The Board of Trustees congratulates Vince on his appointment and wishes him all the best as he prepares to begin his new role.

Steinbach, MB. June 2, 2026 – ��ܽ��Ƶ Superintendent/CEO Joe Thiessen has submitted his resignation to the Board of Trustees and will step down from the position on December 31, 2026.

Over a remarkable career spanning more than three decades in education, Joe has served the ��ܽ��Ƶ as a teacher, principal, and Superintendent/CEO, leaving a lasting impact on students, staff, and the broader school community. His journey in Hanover began in 1995, when he joined the division as a teacher, serving students in the early, middle, and senior years at Niverville Collegiate Institute, Blumenort School, and Woodlawn School. In 2004, he was appointed principal of Mitchell Elementary School, where he provided steady and caring leadership for 20 years.

Since becoming Superintendent/CEO, Joe has worked collaboratively with trustees, staff, families, and community partners to support student learning and strengthen the division’s commitment to educational excellence.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve ��ܽ��Ƶ as a teacher, principal, and Superintendent/CEO,” said Thiessen. “Each role I have held has reinforced my belief in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen communities, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated staff, students, families, and community members throughout my career.”

On behalf of ��ܽ��Ƶ, the Board of Trustees expresses its sincere appreciation to Joe for his many contributions to the division over the past 30 years and wishes him all the best in his future plans.

Steinbach, MB. June 2, 2026 – ��ܽ��Ƶ Assistant Superintendent Dr. Leanne Peters has submitted notice of her retirement to the Board of Trustees, effective November 30, 2026.

Throughout her 27-year career in education, including 15 years in senior administration, Leanne has made significant contributions to teaching and learning as a teacher, principal, and educational leader. Since joining ��ܽ��Ƶ in 2020, she has provided valued leadership as Assistant Superintendent, supporting schools and staff in fostering student achievement, well-being, and inclusive learning environments.

Prior to joining ��ܽ��Ƶ, Leanne served as Assistant Superintendent in Sunrise School Division from 2018 to 2020 and as Assistant Superintendent in Lakeshore School Division from 2011 to 2018. Earlier in her career, she served as a principal and teacher in Rolling River School Division and taught in Mountain View School Division.

The Board of Trustees thanks Leanne for her dedication, leadership, and service as Assistant Superintendent of ��ܽ��Ƶ. Her commitment to supporting students, schools, and staff has been greatly valued, and the Board wishes her all the best in her future plans.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

��ܽ��Ƶ can confirm that the RCMP responded to an incident at Green Valley School earlier this morning after staff became aware that a student had brought a weapon onto school property. Police were notified immediately.

Staff acted quickly to detain the student without incident prior to police arrival. Shortly after, RCMP took the individual into custody.

As a precaution, the school was placed under a lockdown while the situation was assessed. The lockdown has since been lifted.

��ܽ��Ƶ thanks the RCMP for their prompt response and assistance in helping ensure the school community remains safe.

The division recognizes that incidents like this can be concerning for students, staff, and families. School staff are providing support as needed, and the well-being of our school community remains our top priority.

Steinbach, MB. Mar. 4, 2026 – The ��ܽ��Ƶ Board of Trustees has approved the 2026-27 budget, which includes $146.7 million in combined operating and capital expenditures, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.4%. Provincial funding for the 2026-27 school year will increase 4.1% over the previous year.

The 2026–27 budget prioritizes staffing to accommodate a projected enrollment increase of 298.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) students compared to the previous year. It provides funding for approximately 20 teachers to address this growth, along with eight additional teaching positions. Of the 28 positions, six are designated as literacy and numeracy support teachers, along with a $500,000 allocation for Grade 1 literacy initiatives. The budget also includes funding for 22 additional educational assistants.

​A combination of provincial property value reassessment and the need for additional funding will result in a 2026 Mill Rate of 13.32, a 7.97% increase from the 2025 Mill Rate. A home assessed at $354,000 will see an increase of $53 in school taxes for 2026. Tax impacts will vary based on the Provincial Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit (HATC) and assessment growth in each community served by ��ܽ��Ƶ.

The ��ܽ��Ƶ Board of Trustees continues to prioritize the delivery of high-quality education while proactively responding to ongoing challenges, including rising enrollment, larger class sizes, and increasing fixed costs. In developing the budget, the Board has carefully balanced these priorities with responsible fiscal management, supporting long-term sustainability while remaining mindful of the impact on local taxpayers.

Catchment Changes for the 2026-27 School Year

Steinbach, MB – December 2, 2025 – The ��ܽ��Ƶ (HSD) Board of Trustees has approved a series of coordinated measures to address significant enrollment pressures at Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS). These decisions were announced at the Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Tuesday, December 2 and will take effect beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

SRSS is currently at or near capacity, with enrollment projected to exceed 2,300 students by fall 2026. Rising student numbers have led to limited course availability and concerns about overcrowding, building congestion, and traffic around the campus.

To ensure sustainable, safe, and high-quality learning environments across the Division, the Board has adopted a multi-pronged strategy that redistributes a portion of SRSS’s future Grade 9 enrollment to schools with available capacity.

Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, and in subsequent years, Grade 9 students from the Kleefeld catchment will attend Green Valley School, while Grade 9 students from the Bothwell catchment will attend Niverville High School. To support these changes and to ensure balanced enrollment, Green Valley School will transition to a Grades 7–12 school, and South Oaks will transition to a Grades K-6 school. Students currently in Grade 5 will remain at South Oaks for Grade 6.

Students from the Blumenort catchment will have the option to request a catchment change from SRSS to Landmark Collegiate, subject to enrollment capacity and overall interest, as a minimum number of transfers is needed to support both program delivery and transportation scheduling.

Entering Grade 10 students continue to have the option to apply for enrollment in the vocational program at SRSS, regardless of their designated high school catchment area. Availability may be limited based on vocational program capacity and the allocation of spots for rural high schools, as outlined in the HSD Program Not Offered and School of Choice procedures.

These changes affect only students entering Grade 9; all current high school students (Grades 9–12) may remain at their existing HSD high school until graduation.

Transition planning, including busing and school-level support, will be communicated to families in the months ahead. The Division will work closely with affected schools to ensure a smooth transition for all students.

Steinbach, MB – November 18, 2025 – The ��ܽ��Ƶ and the Government of Manitoba today celebrated the official ground-breaking of the Green Valley School Gymnasium Addition and Renovation project in Grunthal, marking a significant milestone for the school and surrounding community.

“This project reflects our government’s commitment to creating modern, inclusive learning environments for Manitoba students,” said Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning. “Investments like these ensure that schools have the spaces and resources they need to support academic achievement, physical wellness and creative expression, both now and for generations to come.”

Cheryl Froese – Trustee for Ward 4 (Grunthal)

Designed by and contracted to , the Green Valley School Gym Addition and Renovation project consists of a new addition (1532 m2 / 16,490 ft2) and renovations to select areas within the existing school. The estimated project cost is $14.6 million. The new addition will include a gymnasium with change rooms, an integrated fitness facility, three classrooms, and ancillary spaces. Renovations to the existing school will provide two new science rooms, a performing arts space (in the former gymnasium), structural roof reinforcement to existing classrooms, and a new interior barrier-free ramp connecting the existing school to the new addition. Site revisions will include a new gravel parking lot in the northeast area of the site, electrical rough-ins for six future EV stations at the existing west parking lot, and regrading, including new trees, shrubs, and sod around the new addition and at select areas of the site. Construction will be completed in stages, with full project completion expected by November 2027.

“The enhancements planned for Green Valley School represent a significant investment in student learning,” said Superintendent-CEO Joe Thiessen. “A new gymnasium, dedicated fitness space, modern science rooms, and a performing arts area will enrich programming and create flexible spaces that support both current needs and future growth.”

The Board of Trustees appreciates the provincial government’s support for this project. The Green Valley School addition and renovation underscores the importance of continued collaboration between the Government of Manitoba and school divisions in addressing the evolving needs of growing communities.

News Release (PDF)

LEFT to RIGHT: Lindsay Forsyth – Associate Project Architect (Verne Reimer Architecture), Joe Thiessen – Superintendent/CEO (��ܽ��Ƶ), Nic Thiessen – President (Three Way Builders), Angela Burtnack-Schinkel – Principal (Green Valley School), Rilee Born – Student (Green Valley School), Brennan Friesen – Student (Green Valley School), Cheryl Froese – Trustee for Ward 4 Grunthal (��ܽ��Ƶ)

Steinbach, MB – September 25, 2025 – The ��ܽ��Ƶ and the Government of Manitoba celebrated the official opening of Parkhill School today. The Honourable Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, participated in the opening ceremony along with students, staff, and guests.

“Today marks a significant milestone for Steinbach and the ��ܽ��Ƶ. The opening of Parkhill School reflects our government’s commitment to investing in education and supporting growing communities across Manitoba,” said Schmidt. “This beautiful, modern facility will provide students with a safe, inclusive, and inspiring place to learn and grow. I’m especially proud of the sustainable design and the integration of child-care spaces, which demonstrate our dedication to supporting families and building a future-ready education system.”

Designed by Prairie Architecture Inc. and built by general contractor Penn-Co Construction, the new school spans 62,304 square feet and accommodates up to 500 students from Kindergarten to Grade 4, with core capacity to expand to 600 students in the future. The facility includes 20 classrooms, including three kindergarten rooms, gym and mini gym, kitchenette, library, music room, multi-purpose spaces and life skills room, as well as a 104-space infant, preschool and school-age child-care facility. The official groundbreaking took place on July 26, 2023, and the school opened for students on September 4, 2025.

“This is an exciting day for the ��ܽ��Ƶ and for the families of Steinbach,” said Superintendent-CEO Joe Thiessen. “Parkhill school will ease K–4 enrollment pressures and create room for future growth, providing students with a welcoming environment where they can thrive in their learning.”

Ensuring a future-ready learning environment also meant embracing sustainable design and operational efficiency. The new K-4 school was designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, which supports the Government of Manitoba’s philosophy that school facilities should provide the best possible environment for teaching and learning, while also reflecting environmental responsibility and principles of sound financial stewardship.

The Board of Trustees appreciates the provincial government’s support for this project. The opening of Parkhill School highlights the importance of collaboration between the Government of Manitoba and school divisions in meeting the needs of growing communities.

L to R: Mayor Earl Funk, Superintendent-CEO Joe Thiessen, Principal Kim Koop, Parkhill Student, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning the Hon. Tracy Schmidt, Director of Facilities Trevor Thiessen, and Board Chair Dallas Wiebe.

-Click Images to Enlarge-

Steinbach, MB, September 2, 2025 – The HSD Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Dallas Wiebe has been elected Board Chair and Jeff Friesen as Vice-Chair for the 2025–2026 school year. These appointments, voted on by their fellow trustees, are for a one-year term.

Dallas has served on the Board since 2022 and previously held the position of Vice-Chair during the 2024–2025 school year. Jeff, also elected in 2022, served as Chair for the 2024–2025 school year.

Congratulations to both Dallas and Jeff on their new governance roles.