School District No. 46 will see many personnel changes this year. The board of school trustees has spent the last week interviewing potential candidates for a number of positions opening up due to retirement and internal shuffling in the district. They have now made their selections. The administrative appointments and transfers will come into effect in September.
John Clements, currently principal of Pender Harbour Elementary Secondary School, will be transferring to Elphinstone Secondary School as principal. Clements has been with the school district since 1981 in various teaching and administrative roles including vice-principal of Chatelech Secondary School.
"I'm very proud to have been a part of the excellent educational team at Pender Harbour. I'm excited about transferring to Elphinstone and look forward to working with the staff, students and community," he said.
Phil Luporini, currently acting interim principal at Elphi, will be the new principal in Pender Harbour.
Luporini joined the school district in September 1999 acting as vice-principal at Elphi. Previously he was a teacher and program leader in the Mission School District.
"I'm excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to my new role at Pender Harbour," he said.
Mark Heidebrecht, currently interim vice-principal at Elphi, will have the position made official in September. He joined the school district in 1996 working in special education and counselling roles at West Sechelt Elementary School and the Sunshine Coast Alternative School.
Gregory Walters and Andrea deBucy are new to SD46.
Walters takes over as principal of Halfmoon Bay Elementary School, while deBucy is the new secretary treasurer.
Walters leaves his position of vice-principal at Maple Lane Elementary School in Richmond for the Halfmoon Bay principalship. He has taught in public and private schools at the secondary and elementary levels and also holds a law degree.
Walters moved to the Sunshine Coast this past fall and says, "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to work on the Sunshine Coast and to better connect with and contribute to this wonderful community."
Walters takes over for former principal John Nicholson, who is retiring this year.
DeBucy will leave her role as secretary treasurer in the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte School District for the same role locally, and says she is excited about the opportunity to live and work on the Coast.
She has over 25 years of experience in financial administration, human resources, facilities and information systems management.
DeBucy takes over for John Pritchard who has decided to take an early retirement to spend more time with his kids.
"We would like to congratulate the appointees and wish them all the best in their new positions," said Greg Russell, board chair. "The board looks forward to their contributions in our school district."
Stewart Hercus, superintendent of schools, commented, "The positive attributes of Gregory and Andrea will be a wonderful addition to the already strong management team of administrators in our district. I have confidence in John, Mark and Phil and appreciate their excellent leadership, which has been recognized by students, staff, parents and the entire community. These transfers and appointments will ensure a smooth September start-up for Elphinstone, Pender Harbour and Halfmoon Bay schools. I would like to thank John Nicholson and John Pritchard for their roles in our district and wish them well in the future."
