Associate Superintendent, Business and Operations, Christine Lee, announces her retirement

Congratulations to Christine Lee, who announced she will be retiring at the end of August.
Lee, currently the Division’s Associate Superintendent, Business and Operations, is proud product of the Division. She attended Lakeview Elementary School, Gilbert Paterson Middle School and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. Her working career has spanned more than 35 years – 26 of which were with Lethbridge School Division.
“I have had an amazing career with the Division,” said Lee. “There have been great opportunities and many challenges along the way. However, each day, I’ve worked with a dedicated team of professionals who have the best interests of students at the forefront of everything they do.”
Lee started her journey with the Division in December of 1998 as the Director of Finance. She has served in her current role for the last seven years.
As a valued member of the Division’s Executive Leadership Team, Lee directed the planning, organizing, administration and operation of the Business and Operations department, to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations in finance, facilities, technology, labour relations, risk management, occupational health and safety, legal and insurance matters and transportation.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Christine,” said Lethbridge School Division Supt. Mike Nightingale. “She is passionate, dedicated, knowledgeable and thoughtful. Christine’s legacy will continue to positively impact, students, staff and the entire Division long after her retirement. Her contributions have been invaluable, and her presence will be deeply missed.”
As a trusted advisor to the Board of Trustees, Lee was always willing to share her knowledge and expertise around the Board table.
“It has been an honour to serve this division alongside Christine,” said Lethbridge School Division Board Chair Christine Light. “She has propelled the priorities of the Board forward through her insight, commitment, dedication to excellence, leadership and deep care of people. It is without question Christine grounded her work in doing what is best for kids. Her ability to connect with people and light up a room is a gift. Christine's presence will be greatly missed as a trusted team member. and the Board wishes her joy and adventure as she begins this new chapter!”
Early in her tenure with the Division, Lee led the sourcing, and successful implementation, of new software, including Finance, Payroll and Human Resources software, school-based accounting software and Site-based budgeting software. These accomplishments played a significant role in Lee and her team receiving the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award.
In her role as Associate Superintendent, Lee supported the transition to a new transportation services provider, led two significant boundary realignment processes, implemented an Enterprise Risk Management framework and also created a new occupational health and safety management system. Critical among her duties was the annual development of the comprehensive Three-Year Capital Plan, which supports the business case for funding from the Province of Alberta for new schools and modernizations. As a result of this work, the Division successfully received funding for construction of two elementary schools and an elementary school modernization.
“There is nothing more rewarding than opening a new school and having a student tell you that it is, ‘the best school ever,’ ” said Lee.
Throughout her career, Lee earned her standing as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO) and Certified School Business Official (CSBO). She earned recognition for career achievement by being awarded the Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA), from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta and the Fellow CSBO (FCSBO) from the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta.
Lee has received recognition for career achievement from a variety of organizations including the YWCA of Lethbridge, with the Women of Distinction Award  in the Leadership and Management category, the Distinguished Eagle Award from the Association of School Business Official International, Ambassador Award from the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta and lastly, Lee was given the Distinguished Service Award of Merit from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta.
Lee also has been an avid volunteer with the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta, having served on numerous professional committees, including as Executive Member of the Association and Association's President. Lee chaired both the SFO Certification Commission and Meritorious Budget Award steering committees for ASBO International.
She also served as a Board Member for Lethbridge Family Services for 18 years and is also involved in the Urban School Insurance Consortium (USIC) on behalf of the Division. Lee served as chair of the Risk Management and Claims Committee for the last seven years.
Through it all, Lee added her work was extremely rewarding over the years.
“Making the most of the resources entrusted to us and supporting student learning is what it is all about,” she said. “It warms her heart to know I have had a small part in supporting the future through supporting student learning.”
She will leave a legacy here at the Division but for Lee, her most cherished memories will focus on the people she has worked with over the years.
“I will miss the people the most and, of course, all of the student performances,” she said. “There is nothing like a Kindergarten class dropping everything to sing to you. Thank you to all the amazing people who have supported me throughout my career. Each one has had an impact on my success and the lasting memories I will cherish.”
Nightingale added Lee’s infectious spirit will be missed throughout the Education Centre and across the Division.
“While we will certainly miss her expertise, I will personally miss working with her as a colleague,” he said. “I will miss her laugh, her sense of humour and her caring, considerate nature. Christine has been a source of inspiration and support, and it will be hard to say farewell. However, I am excited to watch her embark on this next chapter in her journey.”
Lee will be moving to her new home in Vernon, B.C., with her husband, Tim, and their dog, Gus, to enjoy her retirement. She looks forward to her new adventures and possibly some consulting work. Her last working day will be Aug. 29, 2025.
“On behalf of the entire Lethbridge School Division community, I would like to express our deep gratitude to Christine for the outstanding support she has provided for students and our school communities throughout her remarkable career,” said Nightingale. “We wish her joy, happiness and fulfillment in retirement.”