School District selects Andrew Samoil as Superintendent

Another key staffing change has been announced by
the Board of Education in Prince Rupert

As a most challenging of school years comes to an end this week, School District 52 has started to put the building blocks back into place for the years ahead, announcing the appointment of a new permanent Superintendent for the District.

In an information release today, The Board of Education announced the appointment of Andrew Samoil as the District's next Superintendent, the position is effective August 1st.

It's been a fairly quick rise to the top post in Prince Rupert for Mr. Samoil, he joined SD52 in January of 2013 serving as the Director of Instruction, Information Technology and Purchasing, moving to the Board Office as Director of Instruction - Educational Innovation in 2017.

Just this month, Mr. Samoil was named the District's Assistant Superintendent, taking on the post as Sandra Jones returned to service as an Interim Superintendent.

That shift in personnel came with the abrupt departure of the most recent Superintendent of Schools Dr. Irene LaPierre, who parted ways with the District at the start of this month.

As part of today's announcement, Board Chair James Horne made note of Mr. Samoil's leadership qualities and how that will serve the District in the years to come.

“The Board of Education is very pleased that Andrew has agreed to become the district’s next Superintendent. Under Andrew’s leadership the district will continue its focus on the success of each student"

Andrew Samoil has been named
the New Superintendent
for SD52
(image from LinkedIn)

The new Superintendent also had opportunity to share some thoughts on his promotion, offering up a bit of a glimpse at some of the focus for the fall when the schools reopen.

“I am grateful that the Board has expressed their confidence in my ability to take on the leadership of the district. I will continue to support the Province – leading work of our Aboriginal Education Department, to ensure that each of our students can successfully complete their educational program with a sense of hope, purpose and control.”

For Acting Superintendent Sandy Jones, today provides for some of the finals themes from her return engagement; allowing her to soon return to her retirement pursuits that were interrupted by the call to return that came earlier this month.

For Mr. Samoil, the work has yet to begin, with SD52 looking to navigate the ever changing landscape of education in British Columbia as the schools adjust to the new measures and preparations required owing to the COVID pandemic.

You can learn more about today's announcement, as well as guide to his path to the top post in Prince Rupert from the SD52 announcement here.

For more notes related to Education in the Northwest see our archive page here.