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New Westminster school district bids farewell to secretary treasurer

Brian Sommerfeldt will not be returning to run the finances of the New Westminster Board of Education. "The board of education of school district No.

Brian Sommerfeldt will not be returning to run the finances of the New Westminster Board of Education.

"The board of education of school district No. 40 (New Westminster) wishes to advise that secretary treasurer, Brian Sommerfeldt, is leaving the district to pursue other opportunities," said a brief statement issued Friday afternoon. "The board thanks him for his service and wishes him success in his future endeavours."

Board chair Michael Ewen said Sommerfeldt's departure is effective immediately. Sommerfeldt has been on a medical leave since the beginning of February. Assistant superintendent Al Balanuik has been serving as acting secretary treasurer in Sommerfeldt's absence.

"The board will have to talk about that," Ewen said about a replacement. "Dr. Balaniuk is acting as the acting secretary-treasurer. Right now that is how it will remain."

Ewen would offer no further comment on Sommerfeldt's departure. He couldn't say whether a severance package was negotiated as part of his departure.

"We don't comment on personnel matters," he said.

Shortly before Sommerfeldt went on medical leave, New Westminster's district parent advisory council raised the issue of voting on a motion to request that Sommerfeldt be replaced, but it didn't vote on the motion. The New Westminster school district has been battling financial woes, tackling a $2.8-million deficit.

Sommerfeldt joined the New Westminster school district in March 2009, replacing Doug Wong as secretary-treasurer. Wong was reassigned to assistant secretary treasurer at that time.

Sommerfeldt came to New Westminster from the Langley school district, where he started working in May 2006. A certified general accountant, he had previously worked as the director of business affairs for the Provincial Health Services Authority mental health and addiction services.

With Record files.