The new Delta school board was officially sworn in Tuesday evening.
The inaugural meeting was held at the district's administration offices in Ladner, where three new faces joined the board of education.
The newcomers are former Delta Teachers' Association president Val Windsor, former Delta District Parent Advisory Council chair Donna Burke and former longtime North Delta teacher Nick Kanakos, who were all elected in the Nov. 19 municipal election.
Returning trustees include Laura Dixon, Fabian Milat, Simon Truelove and Dale Saip.
All seven were sworn in by Delta resident and provincial court judge Kimberley Arthur-Leung, who wished the new board good luck and reminded it of the district vision, which includes enabling learners to their full potential.
First elected as a Delta school trustee in 1987, Saip was once again tabbed by his peers to be the board's chairperson.
He said he was honoured to be working with such a "wise group and a very experienced board with a lot of depth."
Saip also said the board is fortunate to be working with a strong staff complement.
Dixon was named vice-chair. She agreed with Saip, adding the board will continue to rely on input from the community and education partners.
The trustees agreed to hold off naming members to various committees until they've discussed what those committees are all about with the district departments.
Following the election, Dixon told the Optimist that while the district faces budget challenges due to declining enrollment, it would strive to maintain an excellent reputation.
According to recently released statistics by the Ministry of Education, the high school completion rate (within six years of starting Grade 8) for public school students in Delta was 84.8 per cent in 2010/11, above the B.C. average of 80.3 per cent.
The percentage of aboriginal students who graduated in Delta was 60.3 per cent, also above the B.C. average of 53.7 per cent. The percentage of ESL students in Delta graduating last year was 92.1, well above the B.C. average of 83.1.
