FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2004

Kathy Soule appointed as new director of education
At the December 6 annual Board meeting, trustees of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board announced the appointment of Kathy Soule as Director of Education and Secretary of the Board. Ms. Soule is currently Deputy Director and Superintendent of Education at the Simcoe County District School Board and will succeed retiring Director Larry Langdon on March 21, 2005. Ms. Soule will be relocating to the area early in her term as director.

Ms. Soule has worked in education in Ontario for over 30 years and has a broad base of leadership experience. She has held positions of increasing responsibility ranging from an elementary classroom and core French teacher to vice-principal, principal, education officer, superintendent, and most recently, deputy director.

“We are delighted to have Kathy Soule join this great organization. She brings a strong background of educational leadership to the director’s role. Kathy’s commitment to open communication, collaborative teamwork, trust and respect align with the Board’s vision to provide excellent education for our students. As a Board, we are confident that under Kathy’s leadership, our students will continue to have opportunities equal to other students in the province,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chairperson of the Board.

Ms. Soule joined the Simcoe County District School Board as a superintendent of education in 2001. In 2003, she was appointed to deputy director in addition to retaining her superintendent responsibilities. She had served as a superintendent for the previous six years. From 1989 to 1994, Soule was principal of a French Immersion school in North Bay and a principal in Sturgeon Falls. In 1994-95, she was an education officer for the Northern Ontario Region of the Ministry of Education. From 1973 to 1989, Soule was an elementary classroom and core French teacher.

Ms. Soule’s career highlights include:

• Working as a Ministry of Education curriculum team member to develop strategic implementation plans to provide training and support to school boards in northeastern Ontario.
• Fostering open communication between schools and school communities, and the development of professional learning communities for principals and vice-principals.
• Collaborating with the Sudbury District Heart Health coalition and other local school boards to develop and implement a Healthy Schools project promoting fitness and healthy food choices for students.
• Working with labour groups to arrive at peaceful solutions to labour issues.
• Staffing elementary and secondary schools; recruiting and selecting suitable candidates for all staff positions.
• Facilitating and presenting professional development for principals, vice-principals, teachers, school councils, parent groups and trustees.

Ms. Soule holds a Master of Education – Education Administration from the University of Toronto; a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University; and a Bachelor of Arts – English and Psychology from Laurentian University.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 54 schools serving 18,700 students, employing 1,067 teachers and 775 support staff. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.

For information, contact:
• Judy Edgar, Chairperson of the Board, (613) 921-3203
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2354