The Parkland School Division has announced new executive leadership appointments as of May 13, 2026, marking a change in direction for the school system serving Spruce Grove and the surrounding area.
Superintendent of Schools Mark Francis announced that Bryn Spence has been promoted to the role of Deputy Superintendent, while Travis McNaughton has been hired as the new Associate Superintendent of Instructional Supports and Services. Both appointments are effective June 1, 2026.
Mark Francis currently serves as the Superintendent for the division. He was formally appointed to the position on March 24, 2026, after serving as the acting head of the division since the beginning of the year. The executive team was restructured following the retirement of the previous superintendent, Shauna Boyce, who stepped down in late 2025 after a 35-year career in education.
The incoming leadership team brings extensive experience within the division. Bryn Spence has more than 18 years of administrative experience, having served in various roles including special education coordinator and principal. Travis McNaughton has been with the school division since 2011 and most recently worked as a division principal focusing on program choice and innovation.
Families in the region can expect to learn more about the division’s strategic direction under the new leadership team in the coming months. These changes arrive as the school year enters its final weeks, with students preparing for provincial achievement tests occurring from May 19 to May 22, 2026.
