It was night of goodbyes at New Westminster's board of education meeting Tuesday. It was also a night of announced staffing changes.
Sandra Pace, the district's director of instruction, retires this month after seven years with the district.
"When someone of the stature of Sandra Pace retires, you don't replace her," superintendent John Gaiptman said during the meeting where Pace was presented with a bouquet of roses.
While the district isn't hiring a direct replacement, Janet Grant will take over some of Pace's duties and the new title of acting assistant superintendent.
Speaking to the "acting" title, Gaiptman told The Record, "We are not quite sure what it is going to look like in the end. Rather than paint anyone in corner we wanted to do it one step at time."
Grant has been a teacher, counsellor, vice-principal, principal and director of instruction in the district for more than 30 years. Grant's major area of focus will be working with staff throughout the district to support student learning success.
Meanwhile, hired assistant secretary-treasurer Kevin Loren, who came from the Vernon school district, is moving up the ladder to acting secretary-treasurer, taking over while Al Balanuik is away. Along with his experience in Vernon, Lorenz worked in finance for provincial and federal levels of government.
Along with staffing changes, the school board also said goodbye to two familiar faces. Outgoing trustees David Phelan and Lisa Graham, neither of whom sought re-election, will step away from the board after three and 12 years, respectively.
School board chair Jonina Campbell praised Phelan and Graham for their years of service on Tuesday, though Graham, whose husband has been sick, was not at the meeting.
Campbell praised Graham's "passion," calling her "very committed," and noting she ran initially to advocate for special needs students, as her son was one.
She also noted that Phelan was a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened.
