School District 43 superintendent Tom Grant announced his retirement today but will continue his leadership post until the end of the year.
After 38 years in the field of education, including seven with Coquitlam school district, Grant will exit the stage after a tumultuous year of budget cuts and labour strife.
However, Grant is providing plenty of time for the district to find his replacement.
In a press release, board chair Melissa Hyndes said Grant 's leadership helped the district get five new schools built or into construction with plans for the replacement of two more and the long-time educator deserves to be recognized for always putting students first in his decision-making.
As well, under Grant's leadership, the district expanded its programs of choice, including special academies, the Mandarin Bilingual and Reggio Emilia Programs, and Grant also encouraged the expansion of Continuing Education Programs and summer learning.
He also helped the district develop the Learning Without Boundaries: A framework for Strategic Vision to Strategic Action.
Hyndes said in a statement that Grant will be missed. "Tom has always put students at the forefront of all decisions being made at the senior level. He has guided and mentored the District Leadership Team and the Board of Education through some very difficult times. We will deeply miss Tom as the superintendent of schools in the Coquitlam school district."
The announcement comes as a second day of rotating strikes is planned, with teachers expected to be off the job Thursday, June 5. to back contract demands in negotiations with the BC Public School Employers' Association.
