Superintendent/CEO – School District 64 (Gulf Islands)

The Gulf Islands Board of Education is seeking an exceptional leader for the position of Superintendent/CEO, effective January 1, 2024.

Inspire   Integrate    Involve

The Board acknowledges and is grateful and privileged to work, learn and thrive on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples. 

Gulf Islands School District, located in the Salish Sea, is home to five island communities – Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna. The District is both geographically and culturally diverse, serving 1,500 learners in ten schools and has successfully operated with a four-day instructional week since 2004.

We place students at the heart of our work and aspire to the values of trust, responsibility, opportunity, sustainability, collaboration, and diversity. 

THE POSITION

The Superintendent will nurture the successes in the district by providing caring leadership that honours diversity and demonstrates a passion for inclusion, based on sound understanding and experience.

A recently completed reconfiguration process supports long-term sustainability of operations and a high-quality education system that prioritizes access, relevance, equity, and accountability.

As Superintendent, you will model high expectations and be skilled at leading systems successful with provision of individualized strength-based supports. A strong work ethic and a willingness to be ‘hands-on’ to complete complex responsibilities and deliverables is required.

You will sustain and build upon existing positive relationships to cultivate an organizational culture founded on trust, respect and a sense of belonging. You will have a track record of sound decision-making, problem-solving and addressing complex issues with humility and self-assurance.

The position requires the Superintendent to facilitate meaningful dialogue and engagement with students, staff, rightsholders and parents, and within the communities we serve. A transparent and open manner, supported by an enthusiasm to communicate and be accepting of feedback, is essential.

The Superintendent will value our islands’ identities and will understand and have an appreciation for working and living in a small community. 

Inquiries can be directed to our search advisor, Anne Cooper:  Email: azcooper@mac.com  |  Phone: 250-814-4807

THE CANDIDATE

This is an outstanding leadership opportunity, made rich by the people engaged in the district. The successful candidate will:

• Have a deep commitment to students and their success.
• Possess broad educational leadership experience, including success at the senior district level in areas that include: curriculum, instruction, assessment, student services, Indigenous education, truth and reconciliation, diversity, equity and inclusion, anti-racism, sexual orientation and gender identity and early learning. 
• Have the expertise to support the Board in its governance responsibilities.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to the success of Indigenous learners.
• Have an appreciation for, and facility with, data and evidence.
• Be a natural collaborator who seeks and values others’ contributions. 
• Be committed to relationships with families, valuing and respecting their contributions.
• Have demonstrated success in addressing issues with calm, courage, and confidence; and possess “grit” in the face of adversity.
• In all situations, including those of conflict, display sensitivity and exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate an empowering leadership style, recognizing the strengths and talents of employees and supporting their growth and development.
• Make personal connections, nurturing constructive and trusting relationships; be visible and accessible.
• Be skilled at all forms of communication and be open and transparent.
• Have a Master’s degree in education and BC teaching certificate.

We welcome qualified applicants with lived experience and/or demonstrated understanding of equity, social justice, and diversity.

APPLICATION PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

Cover Letter: Please submit a cover letter describing your particular interest in the position, your current role, and the key responsibilities you have had related to the position of Superintendent.

Resumé  A complete and current resumé must be provided, clearly describing: 

• all relevant education;
• all job and leadership experiences related to the role; and
• provincial and/or community involvement/committees. 

References  Letters of reference are not required. Please submit a one-page list, with contact emails and two phone numbers (office or home or cell) of references, including, where and when possible, one from each of:

• CUPE/Support Staff Union
• District Parent Advisory Committee Representative
• Indigenous Education Committee Representative
• Principals’ Association
• Secretary Treasurer
• Superintendent (for candidates not in the role) or District Office Colleagues
• Teachers’ Association
• Trustees

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

All documentation is to be submitted in a single PDF. Please note that applications made through the Apply Online feature at Make a Future will not be accepted. Completed applications are to be captioned as “Superintendent Search” and emailed by 3:00 PM PDT, October 10, 2023, to supersearch@sd64.org

KEY DATES

October 10, 2023   Application deadline 3:00 pm PDT

October 19, 2023   Candidates notified of their status

November 1, 2023   Preliminary in-person  interviews 

November 2, 2023   Final in-person interviews

January 1, 2024   The successful candidate will assume the position