Families in Spruce Grove will see new leadership at several local schools when the next academic year begins this fall. The Parkland School Division announced a series of administrative changes on April 10, 2026, following the upcoming retirements of two division leaders.
The leadership shifts affect Muir Lake School, Parkland Village School, and Woodhaven Middle School. These appointments were set in motion by the pending retirements of Division Principal Karen Stride-Goudie and leadership team member Andy Fuñe.
Todd Hennig will move into the role of principal at Muir Lake School. He has spent the last five years serving as the principal of Parkland Village School and brings more than 33 years of experience in education to his new position. Throughout his career, he has led four different schools across Western Canada and helped open two new school facilities.
Esther van Beek has been appointed as the new principal of Parkland Village School, marking her first time serving in a principal role. She has been with the division since 2008, when she started as a classroom teacher at Muir Lake School, and most recently served as the assistant principal at Woodhaven Middle School during the 2025-2026 school year. She is currently completing requirements for a graduate certificate in school leadership at the University of Alberta.
Superintendent Mark Francis stated that these appointments are part of the division’s ongoing commitment to professional growth and highlight the leadership depth already present within the school system.
