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Replacement for Pembina Hills superintendent selected

Candidate must agree to contract and education minister must approve hiring before personnel announcement can be made
New Pembina HIlls Sign
The Pembina Hills school board has selected a candidate for the position of superintendent, but the division still requires ministerial approval (as well as the candidate's agreement to enter into a contract) before any details about the new superintendent can be shared.

Pembina Hills trustees have selected a replacement for retiring superintendent David Garbutt, though it will be some time before any information can be shared about the new hire. 

As noted in the board news for the June 23 meeting, Pembina Hills trustees received a total of 13 applications from across the country for the position of superintendent. 

On June 3, the board met with consultant Jim Gibbons to shortlist the candidates and then conducted four interviews on June 16-17. 

At the June 23 meeting, the board passed a motion to appoint one of the candidates to the position of superintendent for the term of Sept. 7, 2021 to Sept. 6, 2025. 

However, the candidate still has to agree to accept the contract, and the division also requires ministerial approval before the new superintendent can be hired. 

Until that occurs, board chair Jennifer Tuininga said they are unable to do a personnel announcement that would share more details about the candidate. 

“We had some excellent candidates apply, and look forward to being able to announce our new superintendent this summer once the approvals are in place,” she said. 

Incidentally, the requirement for ministerial approval will be changing with Bill 55, the College of Alberta School Superintendents Act, coming into force on Sept. 1, 2021. 

Garbutt has been with the Pembina Hills School Division for a decade, first serving as the principal of Barrhead Composite High School and then of R.F. Staples before moving into the administrative side of the division. He informed the board earlier this year of his intention to retire. 

On a related topic, the division is also looking for a new treasurer as the current treasurer, Tracy Leigh, has accepted a position with the Elk Island Catholic School Division. 

Noting that they have started advertising to fill this vacancy, Tuininga added, “We wish Tracy the best in her future endeavours.”

Kevin Berger, TownandCountryToday.com

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