Mike St. John

Superintendent of Schools

Mike St. John's educational career spans 30 years of teaching, and school and system leadership. Building on his learning and leading in two large and diverse school districts in Ontario, he embraces the value of culture and continual improvement through truly seeing people, caring for them, and supporting their growth as individuals throughout the organization toward achieving our collective vision.

With student learning and well-being at the heart of his work, Mike is committed to supporting SD73 in knowing each learner and creating culture where students and staff run to school and walk home.

Kim Morris

Secretary-Treasurer

Kim Morris is an accomplished leader in BC school districts, with over 15 years of rural and urban experience as a Secretary-Treasurer in six school districts. Leading complex budget development processes, multi-year technology action plans, long range facilities planning, asset management, capital projects, and strategic operational planning has continuously demonstrated her steadfast commitment to student success. Kim believes making a positive impact on student success is the most important work SD73 does. She plans to contribute fully through her experiences in the province while learning alongside the Board of Education, First Nations, staff, partners, and community to fulfil the goals of the District Strategic Plan with transparency, sustainability, and commitment.

Rick Kienlein

Assistant Superintendent - Secondary, International

Rick Kienlein has dedicated more than 30 years to public education, serving students and families in a variety of teaching and leadership roles. He began his career in Clearwater as a teacher, school counsellor, vice-principal, and principal before moving to Kamloops, where he served as principal at Sa-Hali Secondary and South Kamloops Secondary. Prior to his appointment as Assistant Superintendent, Rick served as Director of Instruction for Secondary Services and, previously, as District Principal of Human Resources

Rick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Simon Fraser University), a Bachelor of Education degree and Transformative Educational Leadership Program Certificate (University of British Columbia), and a Master of Education in Teaching (Counselling) degree (Gonzaga University).

As Assistant Superintendent, Rick provides leadership for the Sa-Hali, South Kamloops, and Valleyview Families of Schools. His portfolio includes International Education, Career Programs, Information Management and Analytics, and Global Education.

James Messenger

Assistant Superintendent - Early Learning, Elementary, Indigenous

James Messenger brings more than 21 years of experience in K-12 public education, serving students, families, staff, and school communities as an Assistant Superintendent, Director of Instruction, principal, vice-principal, teacher, and district leader. Prior to joining the Kamloops-Thompson School District, James served as Assistant Superintendent in Pacific Rim School District, where he provided senior instructional leadership and supported district-wide efforts focused on student achievement, system improvement, and Indigenous-focused learning.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Simon Fraser University), a Bachelor of Education degree (Simon Fraser University), a Master of Arts (Leadership) degree (Royal Roads University – Chancellor’s Award Recipient), and a Human Health and Fitness Diploma (Simon Fraser University).

As Assistant Superintendent, James provides leadership for the North Thompson, Chase, and Logan Lake K-12 Families of Schools. His portfolio includes Indigenous Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Early Learning, Pre-K and Child Care programs, and Provincial Online Learning School (POLS), and summer learning opportunities.

Grant Reilly

Assistant Superintendent - Inclusion, Safe Schools

Grant Reilly has served in public education for more than 25 years, supporting students, staff, and school communities in rural and urban settings throughout the region. Prior to his appointment as Assistant Superintendent, he held a variety of leadership and instructional roles including District Principal of Inclusive Education Services, principal at multiple schools, learning support teacher, district numeracy lead, and classroom teacher.

Grant holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership (University of Victoria), a School Management and Leadership Professional Certificate (University of Victoria), and a Transformative Educational Leadership Program Certificate (University of British Columbia).

As Assistant Superintendent, Grant provides leadership for the North Kamloops, Brocklehurst, and Westsyde Families of Schools. His portfolio includes Inclusive Education, Safe and Caring Schools, and the McQueen Lake Environmental Education Centre. 

John Wiedrick 

Associate Superintendent - Human Resources

An experienced educator and principal in both elementary and secondary schools, John joined the SD73 leadership team in 2018 as District Principal Human Resources. He assumed his current role in August 2022. 

Prior to coming to Kamloops, John was the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the High Prairie School Division in Alberta. John holds a Bachelor of Education (BEd) and a Master’s of Education (MEd) in Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Alberta as well as a Canadian Professional Human Resources (CPHR) affiliation.

Carol DeFehr 

Director of Instruction - Curriculum

Carol has been a teacher since 1998 and a school leader since 2005, with extensive experience specifically in the Kamloops-Thompson School District for her entire career. She has been a principal at several schools in the District, leading various Elementary schools and Schools of Choice (French Immersion and Montessori Program). One of her proudest educational accomplishments was being named a finalist for the Premier’s Award of Excellence in School Leadership in 2019. Among her post-secondary qualifications, Carol holds a Bachelor of Education (UBC/University College of the Cariboo) and a Masters of Administration and Curriculum (Gonzaga University). Additionally, Carol is a Transformative Educational Leadership Program graduate (University of British Columbia). Creating optimal learning environments to enhance student learning is a passion of hers.

Art McDonald

Director of Facilities

Art is responsible for the maintenance of the district’s 55 facilities and grounds, and a fleet of 100 maintenance vehicles. Annually he prepares the Long-Range Facilities Plan, the Capital Priorities Plan, and is integral to providing the data to manage district enrollment pressures. He's led the expansion of Valleyview Secondary and the rebuild of Parkcrest Elementary, and is currently overseeing the build of the district's newest school, Sníne Elementary.

Robbie Tallon

Director of Finance

Robbie is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Thompson Rivers University. He started with School District No. 73 in 2019 as the Manager of Finance. His previous financial experience includes not-for-profit organizations, public accounting firms, banking, and utilities.

Wayne Pinette

Director of Information and Technology

Responsible for planning and managing the information technology operations of the district, Wayne has over 17 years of experience working in the public sector including 11 years as the manager of networks and security with SD73. He has a BA in Mathematics from SFU and is pursuing certification in Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), the leading framework for managing IT service delivery.

Sherry Kristjanson

Director of Transportation

Sherry started her career in transportation almost 20 years ago as a driver and then as a dispatcher at BC Transit. Sherry joined SD73 in 2013 as a dispatcher, becoming manager in 2016, and director in 2021. In 2018 Sherry became a Certified Director of Pupil Transportation (CDPT). She is responsible for the district’s fleet of 93 buses, 113 employees, and supports the management of the district’s fleet of 105 service vehicles.