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SD68 superintendent announces retirement after 2 1/2 years in role

Sep 18, 2017 | 5:07 PM

NANAIMO — The head of Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools has announced this will be his last year as superintendent of District 68.

John Blain announced Monday he would retire on Aug. 1, 2018, which will mark three-and-a-half years in the role.

Blain, 62, said one of the biggest changes he saw in his time as the district’s top employee was a shift in attitudes among the school district board.

“That we can agree to disagree and that it doesn’t affect our relationship was something that was really important to me,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW. “In the past, there was a lot of disagreement on trust and concern, so developing a common language we could all live by, which was simple and easily remembered, was important to us as a community as we grew.”

Blain said whether or not they agree, there’s now more conversation among the board and between staff.

“People see the value of having those conversations, whereas in the past I don’t think those conversations were happening. I wanted to make sure people at least felt they were listened to and supported.”

Making sure the district was in a more financially stable position was also a goal, accomplished by the shuttering of certain under-utilized schools. Blain said he’s happy to leave the district in a stronger position money-wise than it was when he took the job.

Blain said making sure there’s a solid foundation for future success is his biggest goal before he retires next summer.

“I’m hoping through that type of work, the next person can make the next steps instead of having to create a platform to start.”

Blain previously served as deputy-superintendent and principal at Ladysmith and Dover Bay Secondary Schools. Prior to his time in the education system, he played 11 seasons as a CFL offensive linemen with the B.C. Lions.

Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools is now searching Canada-wide for their next superintendent and said an HR firm was hired to help.

 

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit