Prince Rupert School District superintendent Lynn Hauptman attended her last board meeting on June 11 as the district continues to seek out her replacement.
In April, Hauptman announced her resignation to take on the superintendent role in the Southeast Kootenay School District effective this August. The school board has hired Make-A-Future to lead the recruitment process, with the closing date for applications on June 21, and is "optimistic" that the position will be hired by the time school starts.
However, the board has also made plans in case that doesn't happen.
"In the interim the board has appointed assistant superintendent Sandy Jones as acting superintendent from the time Lynn leaves (July 1) to the time a new superintendent is hired," explained board chair Tina Last, who acknowledged the Hauptman's efforts as the leader of the district.
"Thank you for your leadership in the last four years when the district went through the biggest transformation ever ... You've laid the groundwork for the new superintendent to come in and carry on that success."
A source familiar with the hiring of the new superintendents told The Northern View that stakeholder groups, including teachers and members of the various unions in the district, would be meeting with potential candidates on July 16 and 17.
For her part, Hauptman expressed how much she enjoyed returning to Prince Rupert to oversee education in the region.
"It has been wonderful to be here in Prince Rupert and work with the amazing team of people we have here, from the board to the administration to the teachers to the maintenance staff ... to the community that supports the school system like no other in the province. Whether for bursaries or programs, the community has come through in spades," she said.
"The work, the enthusiasm and the excitement, particularly in the past year, has been incredible."