DESIRÉE DECOSTE

STAFF WRITER

Less than two years into his tenure as Director of Education with the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB), Sean Monteith will step down at the end of the current school year. Monteith’s final day with the Board he joined in the summer of 2019 will be June 30, 2021.

In a press release issued Wednesday, the Board stated it would begin a search for a new Director of Education in the coming weeks.

“Upon accepting the Director’s decision to resign from HPEDSB,” stated Chair of the board Lucille Kyle. “I would like to extend my best wishes to Sean 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 this pandemic.”

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-cantered stance,” Monteith expressed in a statement. “I also want to thank the Board for the opportunity to support them in advancing the organization. I am proud of the fact 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.”

Monteith went on to mention how grateful he is for the opportunity to be part of the HPEDSB organization.

“At this time, and with a few good years ahead,” said Monteith. “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.”

Chair Kyle added a thank you to Monteith for what he had accomplished in his short time with HPEDSB.

“Thank you for the work you have accomplished in this short time,” Kyle said. “I respect your desire to focus on your family’s, and your personal, best interests.”

For more information please visit www.hpedsb.on.ca

Sitemap