Superintendent of Schools/CEO
North Vancouver School District No.44

General

The Superintendent, as the Chief Executive Officer of the District, is responsible to the Board of Education for the overall leadership, educational outcomes, and general management of the affairs of NVSD. The Superintendent advises the Board of Education, communicates emerging trends in education, recommends actions on current issues, and ensures NVSD policies and programs result in the attainment of the long-term goals and objectives of the Board. In addition, the Superintendent is responsible for supervising the requirements of the School Act and Regulations while providing leadership in administration and instructional programs to continually cement NVSD as an educational leader and employer of choice.

  1. Board of Education

Ensures each member of the Board of Education has all the information necessary to exercise properly his/her responsibilities. Upon the election of each new Board member, the Superintendent coordinates a program which will provide new members with background information on the District, the role of Board members, and the general issues facing the District at that time.

Keeps the Board of Education current on all activities of the District by reporting on operations including education policy and personnel matters, and with the Secretary-Treasurer on financial matters, as well as other important issues facing the District. Develops and presents recommended courses of action and alternatives to the Board for its consideration and ensures appropriate implementation and follow-up of Board decisions.

Supports the Board of Education and its committees by providing the staff resources required in fulfilling their responsibilities.

2. Leadership

Provides leadership and counsel to members of the Board of Education in identifying and addressing issues of concern in education and in building understanding and consensus among the members of the Board of Education and stakeholder groups throughout the District around positions and actions to be taken by the District.

Provides leadership to the employees of the District in order to capitalize on the full potential of this critical resource. In doing so, stimulates, motivates, guides, and directs all those on the District staff to work cohesively to contribute fully to the realization of the District’s goals and objectives. This is a critical element of the Superintendent’s role, given the consultative nature of decision-making within the District, and requires that the Superintendent ensures the involvement of District staff in the development and delivery of education.

3. Strategic Plan

In collaboration with senior management and members of the Board of Education, formulates and recommends to the Board a Strategic Plan for the District. This plan identifies the needs of the District; it also sets out a future vision of the District, identifies critical priority issues that must be addressed in order to realize that vision and sets short, medium, and long-term objectives and strategies.

Submits to the Board, on a regular basis, an analysis of progress in achieving objectives, sets out rationale for variances and recommends modifications of the plan for the remainder of the year.

4. Organization and Management of Staff

Maintains and enhances an organizational structure for the staff of the District that directs these critical resources towards accomplishing the District’s long-term operational goals.

Ensures the establishment of progressive policies and programs that meet the needs of employees, enables the District to attract and retain staff and maximizes the full potential of its human resources. Maintains a clear definition of the responsibility of each employee; the ongoing management, direction and motivation of the staff; and a system of measurement of employee performance to ensure the accomplishment of District goals and objectives.

Makes recommendations to the Board of Education regarding the selection, promotion and discipline of immediate subordinates.

5. District Policies and Programs

Accountable to the Board of Education for meeting the strategic and operating objectives established for the District; for ensuring the quality of programs, support services, education, and research according to standards established by the Board and the Ministry of Education; and for ensuring that all programs operate within approved funding limits.

Recommends new and revised policies and programs to the Board of Education in order to meet the changing educational needs of the District and to recognize new developments in the education field.

6. Relationship with Key Partner Groups

Develops effective relationships with all agencies, organizations and institutions sharing common interests with the District including the North Vancouver Teachers’ Association (NVTA), CUPE, North Vancouver Administrators’ Association (NoVA), North Vancouver Parent Advisory Council (NVPAC) and the District Student Leadership Council (DSLC).

Supports the Board of Education in maintaining effective relationships with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation, with elected officials at the municipal, provincial and federal level, and works to foster working relationships with senior officials in the Ministry of Education. Continues to build a close working relationship with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) given the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Education sets the general direction for K-12 education including the curriculum, funding amounts and the legal framework within which boards operate.  The Superintendent, as the one employee of the board, is accountable for delivering on the educational aspirations in accordance with the policy direction established by the provincial government.  The Superintendent ensures the prompt provision of all reports required by the Minister of Education.

Parent and Other Stakeholder Groups

Engages the involvement of parents as active partners in the District and strives to foster a climate of open communication with all stakeholder groups.

Education-Related Organizations

Works in a cooperative manner with other public school employers’ associations committed to ensuring the public education system is responsive to the needs of the people of North Vancouver School District. These organizations include:

• • BC Association of School Business Officials

  • BC Principals’ & Vice Principals’ Association

  • BC Public School Employers’ Council

  • BC School Superintendents Association

  • BC School Trustees Association

  • BC Teachers’ Federation

Affiliated Provincial, National, and International Organizations

Maintains an active involvement in appropriate regional, national, and international bodies related to education.

Media and Community Relations

Maintains and enhances the District’s public image by supporting the Board in developing strategies and approaches for dealing with the media and the community at large. Ensuring the District has a clear and positive profile.

Business Associations

Encourages, maintains and enhances direct affiliation with the municipalities of the District of North Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver, and the business community.

1. 7. Developments in Education

Keeps up-to-date on developments in the field of education in order to ensure that the District has the best possible information with which to address and consider emerging issues. 

1. 8. Financial and Administrative Management

Through the Secretary-Treasurer, ensures the development and implementation of effective financial and administrative systems that optimize the use of the financial resources of the District within the objectives, policies, plans, and overseeing of district budgets as approved by the Board of Education.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to:       Board of Education (7)

Direct reports:  Secretary-Treasurer

                         Assistant Superintendent (2)

                         Executive Director of Human Resources

                         Manager, Communications

                         District Principal Administrative Services

                         Program Administrator, International Students

                         Executive Assistant

Oversees:         All School District employees

                        Students (approximately 16,000)