Richmond School District superintendent Monica Pamer will be retiring this December, leaving a relatively new school board to decide in what direction to steer its students.
Pamer started her career in education as a Richmond teacher in the mid-1970s and then moved on to consultant positions, administration, as well as a position with the Ministry of Education, before finally becoming the superintendent for the past six years.
“I’ve had the most amazing jobs in the district and feel honoured to have worked with everyone,” said Pamer.
She said the job was fulfilling yet time consuming and her decision was a personal one to enjoy retirement.
Richmond school board chair Eric Yung said he’s been thankful to have Pamer at the district’s top desk.
“Monica is continuing in our tradition of a very long line of strong superintendents that have brought a rich tradition to Richmond. She’s continued policies of inclusion and sustainability and communication — many of the pillars of our developmental objectives,” said Yung.
Yung said he and six other trustees — four of whom were elected last November — will submit their individual priorities for a new superintendent in order to steer the district’s hiring process.
“Monica presided over incredible changes to the budget, almost always in the negative. Just last year she was tasked to cut millions of dollars, out of the blue with no warning,” said Yung.
Yung, speaking for himself, said he’s looking for an educational leader who can help rollout new curriculum.
“We can’t have a non educator at the helm. We need someone who knows the levels of the education system intricately,” said Yung.
At the same time, a new superintendent needs to be a good manager, said Yung.
Yung added that among the challenges facing the district are diminishing budgets and the rolling out of an “enormous” facilities review that will see schools closed.
As well, Yung said this is the first year in a while where there will be no labour dispute. As such, low morale is still something that must be overcome.
