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Whistler Secondary principal leaves school

Davies pursuing PhD in Florida Whistler Secondary principal Ken Davies has taken a leave from his position to pursue educational goals.

Davies pursuing PhD in Florida

Whistler Secondary principal Ken Davies has taken a leave from his position to pursue educational goals.

Davies, who joined the school in the summer of 2001, has been working on his PhD in educational administration and leadership for some time through Nova South Eastern University, which is based in Florida, USA.

"My hope is to look at the bigger picture down the road and into areas of senior management," said Davies from his Squamish home.

"I am looking at more of a global perspective of districts and education systems.

"I have been interested in that for a while and pursuing it for some time already."

Davies said his decision to leave the school part way through the school year was "strictly professional and personal," referring to family commitments.

"The school district has been wonderful in that respect and they have structures in place to deal with my departure," said Davies.

It has been a tumultuous term with the loss of the Whistler Secondary’s teacher librarian, the switch to a semester system, and some challenges in teacher subject assignments.

While Davies is looking forward to new challenges he said he will fondly remember his time at Whistler Secondary.

"I enjoyed it," said Davies.

"It was challenging and it was rewarding. It stretched me as a professional and as a person. I really look at this as another chapter in my on-going development and it was a very positive one.

"The world is a very small place and paths cross in the future and this is a stage in my life that I am looking forward to and have thought about for quite some time and now I have decided to venture into that direction."

Davies came to Whistler from Nakusp where he was also principal at the high school. Before that he was vice-principal in Surrey for eight years. He taught in Delta for more than 12 years after completing his teaching degree at Simon Fraser University and his Masters in Education at the University of British Columbia.

Parent Advisory Council chair Kris Shoup said parents have not expressed concern over the situation.

It is hoped, she said, that a new principal will be in place by January. Until then vice-principal Bev Oakley will be running things with assistance from acting vice-principals Rod Thompson and Bob Morris.

Meanwhile two candidates for the position of school trustee in Pemberton have been nominated. They are Mike Milner and Maureen Whale. Both have until today (Nov. 7) to confirm their candidacy. Should they decide to continue the by-election is to be held Dec. 6.

The school trustee position became available after Betty Connell resigned her post in September due to ill health.