The Prince Rupert School District (SD52) will be undergoing a number of staff changes come August.
Ken Minette has been promoted to the position of assistant superintendent, effective Aug. 1, 2016. Minette has worked in the school district since 1989.
After becoming the vice-principal of Charles Hays Secondary School in 2007, he went on to be the first principal of Prince Rupert Middle School in 2011. Minette has also worked as a director of instruction for the last three years, focusing on the district’s middle and secondary schools.
“Ken has provided exceptional leadership in all of his roles in the district,” said superintendent Sandra Jones.
“We look forward to having him in the board office full time as the district moves forward with the implementation of the new provincial curriculum.”
Other staffing changes in the district include the retirement of Linda Hikida, district principal of Student Support Services. Hikida started in the district in 1981 as a special education teacher, and the district has described her support as “invaluable.”
Christine Franes, who started as a math and science teacher in 1996, will replace Linda as district principal of Student Support Services. Franes has been the principal of Pineridge Elementary School since January 2014.
Debra Fabbi, current vice-principal of Pineridge Elementary School, will be the school’s new principal next year. Fabbi was previously the vice-principal of Conrad Street Elementary School, and has worked in the district since 1986.
Working alongside Fabbi at Pineridge Elementary School as the new vice-principal, will be Sheryl Sadorski, who is returning to the workplace after a two-year battle with cancer. The district says they are looking forward to her return.
Associate principal of Prince Rupert Middle School (PRMS), Michelle Cross-Pomponio, will become the new principal for the year. Cross-Pomponio worked as the school’s vice-principal starting in 2013, after starting at PRMS in 2011.
Jones said the district is grateful for Hikida’s 35 years of service, and congratulates the new appointees on their positions for the upcoming 2016-17 school year.