Two days after an official release was sent out, the now former Superintendent of School District 57 (SD57) in Prince George has come out with a statement.
Marilyn Marquis-Forster gave her resignation to the Board of Education Tuesday night (May 14), with the announcement becoming public the next day, leaving after three years in her position.
Though it’s still unclear on why she left specifically, she has issued the following statement:
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve the students, families and communities of School District No. 57 (Prince George) over the past three years.”
“School District No. 57 (Prince George) enjoys tremendous community support in all of its wards. I have enjoyed working collaboratively with UNBC, CNC, Northern Health, other provincial ministries, local non-profit organizations, and the private sector.”
“The SD57 team is over 2,000 strong. Together we have celebrated a number of significant achievements. The District met the requirements of the restored language to the British Columbia Teacher's Federation Collective Agreement, and Springwood Elementary was re-opened in September 2017. Construction of a new Kelly Road Secondary School, scheduled to open in September 2020, is well underway.”
“A focus on improving learning outcomes for Aboriginal students has seen two local Educational Agreements signed over the past three years – Lheidli T'enneh in July of 2017 and McLeod Lake Indian Band in June of 2018. Policies supporting Aboriginal Education and inclusive education have been revised and approved during my tenure.”
“Within SD57 schools and classrooms, an ambitious and comprehensive Strategic Plan has placed students at the centre of our work and supported teachers and support staff to deliver exemplary programming. Most recent measures of SD57 student achievement, as reported through the Six-Year Graduation Rates and Foundation Skill Assessment (FSA) results, have never been higher. SD57 students, staff, families and community deserve to feel gratified with this achievement are well-positioned to enjoy continued success.”
Marquis-Forster’s resignation is based on her decision to pursue our opportunities and activities, which came as a shock to SD57 Board Chair Tim Bennett.
“Of course, it’s a shock to the district and we would like to thank Marilyn for her service,” Bennett explained to PrinceGeorgeMatters on Wednesday (May 15). “While not having anyone in the superintendent chair for the next little bit is an impact to the district, we have a great leadership team in place who will move the district forward with hopefully little impact to our classes.”
SD57 has begun an active search for an interim superintendent as someone who can come in and move the district forward for the rest of the school year.
- with files from Hanna Petersen, Prince George Matters
BREAKING: #SD57 Superintendent Marilyn Marquis-Forster has resigned from her position of the last 3 years according to the district this AM | #CityOfPG #bced @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/C4lI742tnF
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) May 15, 2019
