School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) announced that Carmella Mathieu has been hired to serve as principal of Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary School (CBESS) starting August 1, 2026. Ms. Mathieu will take over from Principal Victoria McCallister who is retiring at the end of this school year.

“I warmly welcome Ms. Mathieu to SD8 and to Crawford Bay School. Ms. Mathieu will be a wonderful addition to the community of Crawford Bay where the school plays such a central role,” said Superintendent Trish Smillie.

Ms. Mathieu has served as a principal of elementary schools in both the Nicola-Similkameen School District (SD58) and the Kamloops-Thompson School District (SD73) since 2017. Before that, she was a teacher and a mental health clinician from 2006 to 2016.  

“I thank Principal McCallister for her 21 years of service in SD8 and congratulate her on her retirement. She has left a positive and indelible mark on the communities where she has led educational staff and taught students.” 

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