By Ian Holmes

New SD68 superintendent focused on raising Indigenous grad rates

Mar 9, 2018 | 11:24 AM

NANAIMO — A new superintendent was selected to lead Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (NLPS).

Scott Saywell was hired to lead the district to replace the retiring John Blain, NLPS announced this week. Saywell served as assistant supt. of District 68 for the past five years.

Saywell said improving outcomes for Indigenous students tops his to-do list.

“My highest priority is that we need to improve the graduation rates, participation rates, sucess rates for our Aboriginal learners.”

He said while graduation rates for Indigenous students has always been a concern within NLPS, he will be “unrelenting” on addressing the problem.

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Recent provincial data reported by NanaimoNewsNOW showed last year’s local Indigenous graduation rate dipped for a third straight year to just 52 per cent.

Saywell said a recent trend of increasing enrollment is important in improving the financial position of the district, after years of a declining student population. 

“We’ll try and direct  those resources (human and material) to as close to the class room as we can.”

Saywell has 27-years of experience in education, 24 of which spent working for NLPS. He has served as a teacher and vice principal at several local schools.

He graduated from Nanaimo District Secondary School in 1981.

NLPS board chair Steve Rae said the board has unwavering confidence in Saywell.

“The Board was very impressed by the pool of talent NLPS attracted from across Canada and internationally, however it was clear that Mr. Saywell possesses the necessary experience to guide the district for our next generation of learners,” Rae said in a news release.

Saywell is slated to officially assume the superintdendent’s role on Aug. 1.

NLPS is home to more than 13,700 students in 48 schools.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes