Director of education resigns
Education director W.R. “Rusty” Hick has resigned from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
Hick’s resignation happened during Thursday night’s meeting of the board.
He’s moving on to become the executive director of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.
“I’m really excited about it,” Hick said.
The father of three’s last day is May 31, before he starts his new job in Toronto the following day.
Hick was a teacher in York Region before becoming a principal in the KPR board in 1999. He then became a superintendent before moving up to educational director in 2009.
After 18 years with the public school board, Hick said he thinks he’s leaving the board a little bit better than when he arrived.
“I think collectively we’ve worked to make learning environments better for kids and that’s what I’m most proud of,” he said.
The Port Perry resident said he’s taking away many memorable moments and experiences working with great people. Among those memories are some challenging times, such as the closure of PCVS and Lakefield District Secondary School.
“What’s most important is the outcome and how kids move forward and get better learning spaces,” he said of the closures.
Hick will continue to live in Port Perry with his wife Julie Renwick and commute to Toronto. The couple has three kids, Wells, 21, Cameron, 18, and Clara, 16.
Cathy Abraham, KPR board chair, said the board is very pleased and excited for Hick.
“It’s a new challenge and new kind of direction in his life, yet still making it able for him to be involved in public education, which he truly is passionate about,” she said.
Until a new director of education is hired, the board will be appointing an interim director. That will happen in the next few weeks.
As Hick reflects on his life leading into a new chapter, he said he’s filled with gratitude.
“I’ve been incredibly blessed, in my personal and professional life. I grew up with not a lot. I’ve done incredibly well and I feel very, very fortunate and blessed,” he said.