The Burnaby school board has appointed a new superintendent after the sudden departure of Kevin Kaardal, who had led the district for the last two years.
Deputy superintendent Gina Niccoli-Moen was installed Tuesday morning just days after the board signed a confidentiality agreement with the outgoing Kaardal Friday.
Board chair Ron Burton told the NOW that Kaardal’s departure was neither a firing nor a resignation.
“It was kind of a mutual agreement where the board wanted to move in a different direction and he wanted to pursue other options,” Burton said.
After consulting legal counsel, Burton said he couldn’t delve more deeply into the details surrounding Kaardal’s departure because it is a personnel issue, but that confidentiality agreements are not unusual in such cases.
“It’s just one of those things in a relationship that happens when you want to travel different paths,” Burton said.
The chair said the whole process and decision was a difficult one for trustees.
“The board has a tremendous amount of respect for Kevin, his intellect and his abilities, but we’re going in different directions,” Burton said.
Before taking the helm two years ago after former superintendent Claudio Morelli’s retirement, Kaardal had worked in the district as assistant superintendent for five years.
In Monday’s press release, Burton commended Kaardal for his years of service.
“Through Mr. Kaardal’s leadership, the District has experienced improvement in student achievement and has initiated new programs,” stated the release. “Student achievement has improved continuously during his leadership.”
Niccoli-Moen was appointed deputy superintendent in December 2012 at the same time Kaardal came on as CEO.
Until her appointment Tuesday, she had been responsible for the administration and supervision of learning support services, youth and community services, early learning and community schools.
