The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education has appointed veteran educator and system leader Mike St. John as the next Superintendent of Schools and CEO of School District 73. He will assume the role in early 2026.
Board Chair Heather Grieve said the district is “confident that Mr. St. John is the right leader for the future,” citing his extensive experience, instructional expertise, inclusive leadership style and long-standing commitment to student success and well-being. “His values align perfectly with our District Strategic Plan,” she said in the announcement.
St. John brings more than 30 years of experience in public education, having served in classroom, school-based, and senior leadership roles across urban and rural communities in Ontario. Colleagues describe him as a collaborative leader who prioritizes teamwork and ensures all voices are heard within school communities.
He joins SD73 from the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN), where he is a member of the senior leadership team and has overseen several key portfolios in a large and complex school system. His career has also included roles as a system administrator, operations officer, principal, vice-principal, inclusive education consultant, and teacher in the Durham District School Board.
Current SD73 Superintendent Mike McKay welcomed the announcement, noting that St. John’s leadership approach aligns well with the district’s goals. “Mike’s successes in various senior leadership portfolios in Ontario have demonstrated his commitment to supporting learners’ life chances,” McKay said. He will remain with the district into the new year to assist with the transition.
St. John is recognized nationally for his leadership: in 2012, he received Canada’s Outstanding Principal Award for his work strengthening school–community relationships and addressing barriers to student achievement.
In the announcement, St. John said he is “thrilled” to be joining SD73 and is inspired by the district’s mission of helping students be “good at learning and good at life.” He emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with students, families, staff, Indigenous partners, and the broader Kamloops-Thompson community. “We will learn and lead together,” he said, “as we collectively create the most caring and engaging learning environments for students and staff.”
St. John will relocate to Kamloops ahead of his official start date in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Board of Education continues its search for a new Secretary-Treasurer, with interviews underway in the coming weeks.
