The Hanover School Division will have new faces in top leadership for the 2026-27 school year, following two appointments announced July 8, 2026. Kevin Clace has been named Superintendent-CEO, with an anticipated start date on or before January 1, 2027, and Vince Hiebert will become Assistant Superintendent on September 1, 2026. The leadership change will influence all 20 schools in the division, including Niverville High School.
The division board made the appointments as current Superintendent-CEO Joe Thiessen prepares to step down on December 31, 2026, and Assistant Superintendent Leanne Peters retires on November 30, 2026. Board Chair Dallas Wiebe praised Thiessen’s lasting mark on the division. “Joe has a heart for Hanover. We’re going to miss him. And he’s been tremendous. His positive attitude from day one has been reflective on the principals and the staff,” Wiebe said.
Clace brings 23 years of K-12 and post-secondary leadership experience. He is currently the Superintendent-CEO of Prairie Rose School Division, a role he has held since 2024, and previously served as Dean of the University of Winnipeg Collegiate (2018-2024). “Kevin is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who is committed to building effective teams, supporting staff, and strengthening the partnerships that help students succeed,” the board stated in the announcement.
Hiebert takes the assistant superintendent role with 20 years in public education, including 11 years in leadership. He is currently principal of Woodlawn School, a position he has held since 2024. The board described him as “a thoughtful and relational leader with a strong ability to build relationships and lead change.” His appointment takes effect just as the school year begins.
At the local level, Niverville High School is coming off a milestone year. Under principal Paul Grosskopf, the school celebrated its largest-ever graduating class of 106 students in 2026. The new divisional leaders will guide a system of 20 schools and roughly 8,900 students in communities from Niverville to Steinbach and beyond.
