Photo: Contributed

Shelley Clarke speaking during a trustees debate prior to last month's civic election.

Longtime trustee Shelley Clarke is the new chair of the Okanagan Skaha School Board.

She was elected by fellow trustees at Monday night’s inaugural meeting, while Jame Palanio was selected to be vice-chair.

“It’s very exciting and overwhelming all at one time,” Clarke told Castanet Tuesday. “I’m very honoured the board would nominate me.”

Clarke, who received the most votes of all trustees in last month’s elections, says bringing the board together into one cohesive team is her first priority.

“We all come from different walks of life and have different views on things, so I think it would be my job to bring the team together.”

While out of the board’s hands, Clarke predicted teacher contract negotiations and possible changes to how the provincial government calculates school district funding may be challenges for the group will have to deal with.

“It's all a different kettle of fish every time around, I’m very happy, I like to see a good mix on the board. It always makes for different perspectives to come together.

Clarke and Palanio were elected alongside Tracy Van Raes and Barbara Sheppard in Penticton. Summerland voted in Linda Van Alphen and Dave Strathers while Kathy Pierre won the rural seat.