School District 51 (Boundary) has undergone some significant shuffling in the administration ranks with the end of the school year with the retirement of two senior administrators – Superintendent Michael Strukoff and Director of Instruction Maxine Ruzicka.
Also leaving the district are Darryl Turner, principal of Greenwood and Midway Elementary Schools for the past eight years and Jennifer Turner, who has filled many roles in the district over the years. With a degree as a psychologist she has served as district vice-principal of student services and as principal of Walker Development Centre in Grand Forks and Big White Community School.
Many of the students at Greenwood Elementary have never had another school principal other than Mr. Turner.
He will be taking the position of principal at Edgewater Elementary, which is located 11 kilometres north of Radium.
Jennifer will become the Assistant Superintendent of District 6, based in Invermere and covering the region from Kimberly to Golden.
The couple sees some advantages. A little better commute for one, and they will be closer to their oldest daughter who graduated from BCSS two years ago and now works in northern Alberta.
“I am going to miss the Boundary,” said Darryl. “It is a good place to raise kids. They need to be careful to preserve what they have got here.”
The family moved to the Boundary ten years ago, after putting in 10 years in the education system in northern Alberta and another two in Okotoks.
They both spent their first two years in the Boundary teaching at BCSS.
Jennifer recalls that their two youngest children were just born when they moved to the Boundary.
“We have lots of close friends,” she said. “The Boundary will always be part of our lives and memories.”
Jennifer said that the district has worked hard to be innovative and a large part of the puzzle are the partnerships formed across the community. She called the Boundary School District a model of good practice in the province.
“Thank you for the warm welcome and the opportunity to raise our family in such a wonderful place,” she said as our interview closed.