The Greater Victoria School District secretary treasurer retires next month and the district has no plans to fill his position.
When George Ambeault steps down mid-June after 13 years at the district books, his position will go unposted. Greater Victoria superintendent John Gaiptman and associate superintendent Sherri Bell will take over his duties, while Ambeault will remain an advisor as needed.
“We’re looking at some tough times next year and whether George’s duties can be done this way,” said board of education chairperson Peg Orcherton. “If not, we’ll have to reassess.”
The cost-cutting move requires Gaiptman to report out regularly to the board, ensuring duties aren’t missed.
Ambeault, 65, will remain in the field of education part-time. He has accepted the position of executive director of the Educational Resource Acquisition Consortium, a group representing several boards of education in B.C., united for the purpose of large resource material purchases.
He calls the shift in gears “serendipitous.”
“It allows me to stay in education, which is a great feeling, and to start slowing down for retirement,” he said.
Ambeault came to the district by way of Waterloo, Ont. in 1999, where he had been the superintendent of business for the Waterloo Region District School Board since 1994.
He praised the efforts of Orcherton and her predecessors around the board table.
“It’s a real pleasure to work with them, but with sorrow I leave these people who have had not just an impact on my life, but on the lives of the students in their district.”
nnorth@saanichnews.com