School District No. 57 (SD57) now has a new superintendent.
The board of education announced today (Oct. 21) that it has appointed Anita Richardson to the position of Superintendent and CEO.
Richardson knows the district well as she spent time as a teacher and principal in Mackenzie, was born in Prince George and was raised in the Robson Valley.
Board Chair Tim Bennett, along with four trustees made the announcement on Oct 21. in SD57's board room on Ferry Avenue. (via Hanna Petersen) “Anita is a skilled educator who brings with her a passion for Indigenous Education and relationship building with the community,” says board chair Tim Bennett.
“The appointment is a homecoming for Richardson after a few years in Alberta most recently with Horizon School Division as the Associate Superintendent, she is returning home.”
Richardson’s appointment to the position will be effective Jan. 1, 2020.
“The Board of Education is very excited to welcome Anita back home to School District 57,” says Bennett.
“It was important the successful candidate demonstrated leadership and results working with community through authentic relationships, supporting improved outcomes for students and vision for the district. Anita’s passion, background and experiences will complement the strong leadership team we have in the district and help continue to move the district forward into 2020 and beyond.”
Bennett also thanked interim-superintendent Rod Allen for his leadership, vision and commitment to the district.
He stepped into the role after former superintendent Marilyn Marquis-Forster announced her resignation in May.
Allen has agreed to continue in the Interim Superintendent position until Richardson arrives in January.
Although Richardson was not able to attend the announcement in person, she joined the board members via conference call.
“It is returning home and I am extremely excited to return home and very humbled that you would choose me for this important role,” says Richardson, who made the move to Alberta with her family in 2012.
“As I return, I bring a strong moral grounding, a desire to inspire learning, a commitment to our communities, and a willingness to engage others in meaningful conversation,” said Richardson.
“I am looking forward to getting reacquainted with the communities and people that make up SD57. I know that by developing strong relationships with the dedicated Board of Education, our amazing staff, members of Lheidli T’enneh and McLeod Lake Indian Band, our committed educational stakeholders, together we will grow SD57 into a learning community that truly prepares our students to seize life’s opportunities. It is only together, supporting one another, working toward our common goal that we will see SD57 reach its true potential.”
Although Richardson won’t begin her position until January, she will be attending the Board of Education’s Nov. 6 public meeting.
“We are very excited, we have such a strong staff, we have a strong school district and we have the motivation to move forward and we welcome Anita to help us along that journey,” added Trustee Sharel Warrington.
