INNISFAIL - The 11,000-student Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) has a new superintendent, who will take over the top job at the Innisfail-headquartered division on June 2, officials said.
Dr. Ryan Sawula replaces longtime superintendent Kurt Sacher.
Most recently the deputy superintendent at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS), Sawula has more than 20 years experience in education, including leadership roles in schools and at the division level.
Sawula holds a doctorate in Educational Studies from the University of Calgary, a master of Educational Studies and a bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta.
“I am incredibly excited to join Chinook’s Edge School division as superintendent,” Sawula said in a CESD media release issued Thursday. “I look forward to working alongside dedicated staff, students and families to prioritize personal success for every student.
“Chinook’s Edge has a rich tradition of commitment to students, being focused on their academic, emotional and social success. This focus on fostering growth of the whole children resonates deeply with me.”
CESD chair Holly Bilton says Sawula is a good fit for the division.
“His track record of building strong relationships and ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education aligns perfectly with our mission at Chinook’s Edge,” said Bilton in the Feb. 13 release.
“Dr. Sawula is a respected K-12 leader who shares our division’s values of student-centred learning, innovation and academic excellence.”
Bilton commended outgoing superintendent Kurt Sacher for his “unwavering commitment to the student, staff and communities of the division” during his time at CESD.
“We recognize his dedication to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in education,” she said. “Kurt’s leadership has ensured that Chinook’s Edge remains a place where students thrive and succeed. We are incredibly grateful for his service and leadership.”
CESD includes schools across the district.
