Catholic superintendent changes mind on retirement
Edmonton Catholic Schools superintendent Joan Carr has changed her mind about retirement.
Carr announced in December she wouldn’t seek to renew her contract with the district.
But she revisited that “hasty decision” over the Christmas break, gathering input from family and colleagues before deciding her work with trustees, some of whom were newly elected in October, is not yet done.
“We need to keep moving forward, so I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity,” she told Tuesday night’s board meeting.
The board unanimously approved Carr’s contract extension with each trustee giving Carr glowing recommendations.
“You have been, you are and you continue to be beyond even exemplary in all that you do and are a blessing to our district,” trustee Sandra Palazzo said.
In an interview, Carr said she’s keen to keep working on several initiatives, including replacing Ben Calf Robe school.
“There are so many things we have begun that we want to be able to see through,” she said. “I look forward to the journey ahead.”
Carr was named Canadian superintendent of the year in 2016. She has held the school district’s top job for 11 years and was a teacher and principal for 30 years before that.
She is the highest-paid school superintendent in Alberta, earning $426,824 in compensation last school year.
Board chair Terry Harris is “delighted” Carr is staying on.
In an interview, he said Carr has brought “fantastic results” to the district and the board is keen to hang on to her talents.