New West Schools is on the hunt for a new superintendent – but is confident it’s well-equipped to deal with the departure of Karim Hachlaf until a replacement is found.
The district has announced that Hachlaf has been selected as the new superintendent in the Burnaby school district, beginning April 1, 2024.
“We know that Karim is committed to supporting a smooth transition over the next several months as we begin the recruitment process for our next superintendent,” said a statement from Maya Russell, chair of the New Westminster school board. “We are also lucky to have secretary-treasurer Bettina Ketcham and executive director of human resources Robert Weston who will, as always, provide stability and sound leadership as we move through the spring and into school year 2024/25.”
According to Russell, the board has engaged a leading recruitment firm to begin a search inside and outside B.C.
“While we begin to recruit a replacement, we are delighted that retired assistant superintendent Julie Pearce will join us as acting associate superintendent in January,” said Russell. “As we move through the recruitment and selection process, further leadership support will be provided as required.”
Russell said the board is confident in the district’s leadership team, which has “been bolstered with strong recent hires bringing fresh insights and energy.”
“At this point, our top priorities as a board are to provide support for the vital work of teachers, staff and administration in schools every day, and to secure our future superintendent,” she said.
Russell said New West Schools is grateful for Hachlaf’s service in New Westminster.
“Karim has provided exemplary leadership to our district since beginning as Superintendent in 2018,” she said. “Whether it was his commitment to consultation, engagement and collaboration, his remarkable communication to our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, or his leadership on anti-racism in schools, Karim has brought integrity, professionalism and courage to our work. New Westminster Schools has changed for the better through his leadership, in profound ways.”
In a Dec. 18 news release, the Burnaby Board of Education announced Hachlaf’s appointment to the position of superintendent. He began his career in education as a teacher in the North Vancouver School District in 1999.
“As a longtime resident of Burnaby, and with my own children attending Burnaby schools, I am both excited and honoured to take on the role of superintendent for the Burnaby School District,” Hachlaf said in the news release. “I am looking forward to building on the district’s current successes and collaborating with students, staff, parents and the community as we work together to shape the future.”
