The superintendent of schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows is saying farewell.
Harry Dhillon said he will be retiring at the end of spring break next year.
Dhillon’s announcement came at the end of the year letter in which he also thanked students, staff and families, for “another successful school year”.
“On a personal note, it is with mixed emotions that I share with you today my decision to retire at the end of spring break 2024,” said Dhillon in the letter.
“I have given the Board of Education notice of my decision well in advance of my intended retirement date to support a comprehensive search for the next superintendent of schools for Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District No. 42,” he said, noting that the process to replace him is expected to take three to four months.
Dhillon took over as superintendent for the school district from Sylvia Russell in 2021.
His employment with the district started in 1988 at Glenwood Elementary where he taught Grade 7.
Throughout the next 35 years he would teach students from kindergarten through to Grade 10 and serve as both principal and vice principal at various elementary schools. He also took on many senior district leadership roles including: district principal and acting director of human resources; director of instruction overseeing learning services; and assistant superintendent.
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He said the board will use the help of an executive search firm and “cast a wide net” to find his replacement, looking beyond the local boundaries for highly qualified candidates.
“I have also assured the board that I am committed to supporting a positive and successful transition for the next superintendent,” said Dhillon.
School board chair Elaine Yamamoto confirmed the Board of Education has already engaged an executive search firm to begin the process.
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“Superintendent Dhillon has done a spectacular job guiding our district through the pandemic and its aftermath,” she said.
This year the board also said farewell to secretary treasurer Flavia Coughlan, whom school board chair, Elaine Yamamoto, described as a strong leader and advocate for education in the district for the past 11 years.
“We are grateful for her contributions and wish her all the best as secretary treasurer of the Vancouver School Board,” said Yamamoto of her new posting, adding that the board is pleased to welcome Richard Rennie as the new secretary treasurer. Rennie has served as assistant secretary treasurer for the past year with the district.
Dhillon said he will most likely be doing some personal reflection on his 35 years of service in public education over the summer break.
“We have much to be proud of in our school district, but there is more work ahead of us. I look forward to continuing this journey with you in the 2023/24 school year,” he said.
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