The New Westminster school district's recently hired superintendent says the "buck stops" with him if there are any issues with the management of education in the city.
John Gaiptman, 58, spoke with The Record about how he intends to run the school district, which faces financial problems and fractured relationships.
"I think that anytime someone phones the superintendent, the superintendent should be able to give an answer. That doesn't mean everybody is going to agree with me. I've learnt that not everybody does, but you have to be honest and you have to be consistent," said Gaiptman, who took over his post on Monday.
Gaiptman previously worked in the Victoria school district, where he was superintendent for 13 years.
To get familiar with issues, Gaiptman plans to consult with school-based administrators because they are the most familiar with the concerns of their respective schools, he said.
"We are going to have a process, and that process will conclude making sure that staff, school and district administrators are sitting together and making sure that whatever decisions we have to make for next year are in the best interest of students," he said.
At this point, there's no certainty around Gaiptman's long-term employment with the district. Gaiptman said he told trustees if a "younger, and more talented, and a better educator" turns up, just give him a month's notice, and he'll happily move on.
"If, however, the community, and the trustees, and the stakeholder groups think that I'm doing a good job, then we'll look for something more permanent," he said.
Gaiptman retired from his Victoria posting this month, but the self-described "workaholic" said he isn't one to spend the rest of his days laying on a beach.
Gaiptman has been married to his wife, Sharoyne, for 34 years. They have two grown daughters. Jessica is a psychologist in Vancouver, and Elisha is married and is in software development in Toronto.
Gaiptman began his career as a teacher of students with special needs and then became a math, English and Social Studies high school teacher. He was a high school principal for nine years before he moved into management.
Gaiptman said he was "impressed" with the local school trustees' passion for public education when he met with them.
"I truly believe in public education," he said. "I think that it is necessary in any democracy. I don't see enough people fighting for public education. I want to go to New West, bring my abilities to New West."
Gaiptman said he is leaving Victoria in good shape, noting that the budget is on track and grad rates have climbed every year for the last six years.
When asked about the quagmire of issues he is stepping into, Gaiptman answers with optimism.
"You know what, let me tell you something, 13 years as superintendent, before then four years as a senior administrator, prior to that nine years as a principal, there have always been roadblocks, and there always will be roadblocks, and we can use them as an excuse ... or we can sit back and we can say, 'We pool our talent. If we work as one, we can make something very good out of this,' and that's why I'm going, because that's what I believe will happen," he said.
