Living Waters School Division announces new superintendent and deputy superintendent

By Laura Bohnert

Starting in September, the Living Waters School Division will be run by a new team. As Carol Lemay retires as superintendent, the Board of Trustees has announced that Jo-Anne Lanctot has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Schools and Chief Executive Officer for Living Waters Catholic Regional Division No. 42, and Trevor Mitchell will be joining the Senior Executive Team as Deputy Superintendent.

Lemay, who has dedicated 24 years of service to the Living Waters School Division, first as a principal before becoming Deputy Superintendent, then Superintendent, will be retiring at the end of the 2015/2016 school year after dedicating years to providing excellence in Catholic education and striving to create a safe, faith-filled, and educational environment for both learners and teachers.

Lanctot will take her place as new Superintendent of Schools and CEO as of September 1, 2016, after having worked more than 28 years in education with Living Waters Catholic Schools, first as a teacher, then as principal, and finally as Deputy Superintendent.

“With Christ as the ultimate role model of and for leadership,” Lanctot states, “I will endeavour to provide a Christ-centered approach to my role as Superintendent. As a team member, I will provide leadership and support to trustees, administrators, staff, parents and, most importantly, students. I am a shepherd leader.”

Lanctot currently holds a Bachelor of Education as well as a Master of Education degree in Education Administration and Leadership.

Mitchell will be starting his position as Deputy Superintendent after gaining 21 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator. A principal in Slave Lake since 2005, Mitchell will be transitioning to Whitecourt to join the Central Office Team on August 12, 2016.