<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Black Gold’s Superintendent, Michael Borgfjord, has received a national leadership honour: the Distinguished Service Award. The Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) gives the award to one of its members who have demonstrated outstanding ability and leadership, at its conference each July.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kevin Kaardal, a recently retired Superintendent who served in the Central Okanagan Public Schools, and was also the Past President of CASSA, nominated Borgfjord for the award. He says, </span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Michael has been a positive, and collaborative contributor to the provincial and national educational scene. His work in the school divisions he has served, and also through provincial and national associations is admirable, and ultimately why I nominated him for this award.”</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kaardal says, </span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Michael's focus on student success, and leading to create the environment that impacts student success is the right focus. Michael is all about improving individual students’ life chances.”&nbsp;</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kaardal says that passion has fueled Borgfjord’s contributions provincially and nationally. Borgfjord was previously the President of the Manitoba Association for School Superintendents, and he served as the Western representative for the American School Association of Superintendents for about six years. Currently he is the Chair of the Alberta Rural Education Symposium.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Michael’s overall body of work is significant,”</em></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> says Kaardal.</span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Why it matters to the families and communities in Black Gold is because the leader influencing their system and schools is one that is fully immersed in the current issues in education provincially and nationally. He is not only exposed to a wide variety of responses to those issues, but he is also a part of contributing to system wide solutions.”&nbsp;</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kaardal adds, </span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“I appreciate the professional friendship we’ve developed as we’ve worked together. He is reliable and someone to count on. He is focused on the right thing - student success.” </em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Board Chair, Angie Charpentier, says, </span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“This prestigious national recognition is a tremendous honour—not only for Michael, but for our entire school division and the communities we serve. We are incredibly proud to have a Superintendent whose leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to students and public education are being recognized at the highest level across Canada.”</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Michael leads with integrity, compassion, and a deep belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed,” </em></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">says Charpentier. </span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“His collaborative approach has strengthened relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners, while continually inspiring innovation and excellence throughout Black Gold School Division.”</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“As a Board, we are honoured to work alongside a leader whose dedication has made such a meaningful impact, both within our division and across the country. This award reflects not only Michael’s exceptional leadership but also the collective efforts of our staff, students, trustees, and community, who share a commitment to educational excellence,” </em></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">says Charpentier.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Michael Borgfjord, Superintendent, says,</span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> “It is a real privilege to receive this award. There are so many amazing leaders in education. The primary responsibility of a leader is to create conditions so that others succeed! I’ve learned in education that improvements and successes are achieved by a team - and with a collaborative spirit! It’s not about individual achievements but collective work. We have a strong team in Black Gold, and this award is really a reflection of the work we have done together.”&nbsp;</em></i><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/4d6c8b42-a464-42bf-8266-a22afd487858?fingerprint=ppb20260720221249" alt="CASA Borgfjord award" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>