Secretary-treasurer Russell Horswill is leaving the Comox Valley School District in the new year to take a job with the Vancouver School District. He will serve in the same role.
“It’s a big move, it’s a big district, but looking forward to it as well,” said Horswill, who started with SD71 in January 2012.
He had previously been associate superintendent of business services in the Grande Prairie School District for several years. Horswill has also worked in the Fort Vermilion and Rocky Mountain school districts in Alberta, and in the Kimberley, Stikine and Merritt school districts in B.C.
“They’ve all had unique challenges,” he said. “The Comox Valley has been a good district because it’s highly innovative, and it’s fun to figure out how to support the educators as they’re trying to do the good things for students. It’s been a good ride.”
Horswill is a “Kootenay kid” from Nelson, B.C. He and his wife Marcy, who have two grown children, will be living in Richmond.
He expects Vancouver will be their final move.
“We’ve totally enjoyed the Comox Valley. It’s a great district and a great place to live. We’ll miss all the good people we’ve worked with over the years. Vancouver just provided an interesting opportunity, and I decided to take it.”
He finishes the last week of January and starts his new job Feb. 1.
Horswill is not the only senior staffer leaving SD71. Also on Feb. 1, Supt. Sherry Elwood takes over as superintendent at the Richmond School District (No. 38).
“It’s difficult, I suppose, when both are leaving at the same time,” Horswill said. “Just how it happened.”
Assistant supt. Tom Demeo will be SD71’s acting superintendent as of Jan. 1.