Garden Valley School Division's (GVSD) new superintendent called it an exciting moment when he learned he was the successful candidate to fill the permanent role. Dan Ward is currently the superintendent of Mountain View School Division in the Parkland area of Manitoba.

Ward explained Mountain View covers communities like Dauphin, Roblin, Grandview, Winnipegosis, Ethelbert, and essentially all the communities in between. 

Dan Ward (Supplied photo)

"It has some similarities to Garden Valley, in that it's a rural school division. We're a little smaller, with just over 3,000 students and about 500 staff. But geographically we are a lot bigger. We're just under 8,000 square kilometres. One of the largest regional school divisions in the province, so I've definitely put a lot of kilometres on my vehicle getting out to our sixteen schools."

Ward has been at Mountain View for just under seven years, where he's been CEO/Superintendent for the past three years. Prior to that, he was the division's Assistant Superintendent for three years. Ward said he's enjoyed his time in the Parkland region, and as he prepares to leave Mountain View, he noted one of his personal and professional goals was to remain in rural education.

Part of the excitement of change, added Ward, is getting to learn about a different part of the province. He said our province is so diverse, so he's really looking forward to getting to know the Pembina Valley.

"It's one part of the province I haven't lived or worked in yet. I've been in the City of Winnipeg, I grew up north of Winnipeg in St. Clements/Selkirk area, and of course, spent time in the Parkland, and started my career in the Frontier. So I've kind of been all over the province, but I've yet to make it out to the Pembina Valley, so I'm quite excited about that."