The Kootenay Lake school district has named Cathy MacArthur as its new secretary-treasurer and chief financial officer. She was hired as manager of finance for the district in April and served as interim secretary-treasurer since May. She replaces Johan Glaudemans, who is now the secretary-treasurer for the Northlands School Division in Peace River, Alta.
“On behalf of our board I am very pleased to announce Cathy’s appointment and relay the board’s confidence in her financial and leadership skills,” said chair Lenora Trenaman in a news release.
“Each of our trustees has had the pleasure of getting to know Cathy during her tenure as interim secretary-treasurer. We look forward to working with Cathy this year during the 2023-24 budget as well as in developing the 2024-25 budget going forward.”
MacArthur is a chartered professional accountant with an extensive and diverse background in accounting, auditing, financial planning and analysis, and financial reporting in both the public and private sector. Her management focus has included team building and staff development.
MacArthur has worked in senior financial roles at Royal Roads University, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and the Office of the Auditor General. She is well practiced as a financial leader in education and government where her role was to communicate and work with executives, audit committees and elected boards.
“My husband and I have owned a vacation property in the area for several years now and had been hoping to permanently relocate to the Kootenays to be closer to family and friends,” said MacArthur.
“To be able to serve the school district and support the board of education as secretary-treasurer as we implement our new strategic plan is really a wonderful opportunity that I’m excited to take on.”
As secretary-treasurer for SD8, MacArthur will oversee an annual budget of over $80 million and report to superintendent Trish Smillie. She will manage finance, information technology, operations, and facilities for the district. Her responsibilities also include asset management and privacy management.
“Cathy is an exceptional financial professional and leader,” said Smillie.
“She has already shown her skill at improving financial processes in the district, engaging staff, learning district reporting requirements, and has successfully taken us through our 2023 financial audit. Cathy will be instrumental in moving us forward as an organization in our leadership skills and financial management so that we are each equipped in SD8 to focus on the people we are here to serve – our students, families, and school communities.”