The Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of Director of Education Sean Monteith, effective June 30, 2021. The Board intends to begin its search for a new Director of Education quickly in the coming weeks.
Chair Lucille Kyle stated, "Upon accepting the Director's decision to resign from HPEDSB, I would like to extend my best wishes to Sean Monteith as he pursues other professional and career opportunities. During his time with us, the Director demonstrated his willingness to work hard on behalf of the board and all its constituents.
"Among his accomplishments were his actions of increasing meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities in HPEDSB, working with the Board to develop a five-year strategic plan with a focus on equity, developing board structures intended to improve efficiency in delivering education for our students, and facilitating a fluid response to the significant and ongoing challenges of delivering education in the time of pandemic.
"Thank you for the work you have accomplished in this short time. I respect your desire to focus on your family's, and your personal, best interests."
Monteith, who has been an Ontario Director of Education since 2013, and with HPEDSB since 2019, commented after offering his resignation, "I want to thank the staff, students and families of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board for allowing me the privilege and honour to serve the interests in asserting a student-centered stance. I also want to thank the Board for the opportunity to support them in advancing the organization.
"I am proud of the fact that we created together a brand-new strategic plan that enforces principles of equity, student achievement, and outcomes for all of our learners. The Board's commitment to reconciliation with First Nation partners is commendable and underscores the desire to be champions of equity and social justice.
"At this time, and with a few good years ahead, the prospect of being part of system-level change in support of Indigenous communities, and in continued support of marginalized and racialized students, is one that I am looking forward to. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the HPEDSB Family and wish the organization nothing but the best."
For more information, please contact:
Kerry Donnell, Communications Manager, 613-966-1170, extension 62354, or 613-847-0696, [email protected]