The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has appointed a long-serving member as its new director of education.
Gary Girardi, who has over 25 years of experience in Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent, will officially step into the role on May 1.
"I've worked for the Lambton Kent District School Board since before amalgamation," said Girardi. "I actually started with the Kent County Board of Education and then when the boards amalgamated I have been with the Lambton Kent District School Board since then. I have worked all over the board. I've lived in both Chatham and Sarnia, and I've been in urban and rural schools."
Girardi has held various roles during his time with the board. He started as a teacher, before being promoted to leadership roles including; vice-principal, principal and superintendent of education.
"That actually has been a really good experience for me, because it's really given me an opportunity to get to know a lot of our schools, and the families that attend them, and a prospective that is broad... given that the Lambton Kent District School Board covers a very large geographic area and our schools are all unique. I've been very privileged to have those opportunities," he said.
Girardi is excited to be taking on this new position.
"I believe very strongly in public education and I believe in the Lambton Kent District School Board. My own children attended our schools and their experiences have also left an impression on me, that we need to provide the best opportunity for all students who come to our schools," Girardi said.
He said he will be working to complete current goals as they wrap up the final year of their current five year plan.
"Then we'll be looking to engage with our community partners as we look to set a new multi-year strategic plan," Girardi said. "A lot of the things that we want to do are to increase success for our students every day in the classroom and make sure we have a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students, staff, and for the community that we support."
Girardi is particularly interested in seeing a Lambton Shores project constructed.
"We continue to engage with the ministry because we're definitely interested in moving the process [forward] with the K-12 school, which will be located in Forest. We believe in that project. We think it will be a good project to support students and families in that area and so we're looking to move that forward," he said.
LKDSB Chair Kelley Robertson said Girardi's wealth of experience, commitment to community, and dedication to creating an inclusive environment make him the ideal leader.
“His passion for education and belief in the power of safe and inclusive schools will continue to drive the success of our board and the future of our students," said Robertson.
Girardi will replace John Howitt, who announced his retirement last fall.
Howitt was appointed the LKDSB director in July 2019.
The Director of Education for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board Scott Johnson is also retiring this spring.
Johnson's replacement has yet to be announced.