School District 57’s Board of Education accepted the resignation of Superintendent Marilyn Marquis-Forster on Tuesday.
Marquis-Forster has issued the following statement:
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve the students, families and communities of School District No. 57 (Prince George) over the past three years.
School District No. 57 (Prince George) enjoys tremendous community support in all of its wards. I have enjoyed working collaboratively with UNBC, CNC, Northern Health, other provincial ministries, local non-profit organizations and the private sector.
The SD57 team is over 2,000 strong. Together we have celebrated a number of significant achievements. The District met the requirements of the restored language to the British Columbia Teacher’s Federation Collective Agreement, and Springwood Elementary was re-opened in September 2017. Construction of a new Kelly Road Secondary School, scheduled to open in September 2020, is well underway.
A focus on improving learning outcomes for Aboriginal students has seen two local Educational Agreements signed over the past three years – Lheidli T’enneh in July of 2017 and McLeod Lake Indian Band in June of 2018. Policies supporting Aboriginal Education and inclusive education have been revised and approved during my tenure.
Within SD57 schools and classrooms, an ambitious and comprehensive Strategic Plan has placed students at the centre of our work and supported teachers and support staff to deliver exemplary programming. Most recent measures of SD57 student achievement, as reported through the Six-Year Graduation Rates and Foundation Skill Assessment (FSA) results, have never been higher. SD57 students, staff, families and community deserve to feel gratified with this achievement are well-positioned to enjoy continued success.”
After three years with the school board, she has chosen to devote more time to pursue other activities and opportunities.
“In the immediate, we’ll be making sure the District continues to move forward that the trickle-down effects of now having a Superintendent aren’t felt in the classroom,” Board Chair Tim Bennett told MyPGNow.
According to Bennett, the Board will be meeting in the coming of days to start the search for someone to fill the position on an interim basis, as well as the Board’s next Superintendent.