More than 30 years of dedicated service to the education field will come to a close at the end of the month for Kelly Grittner.
Grittner, secretary-treasurer for School District 46, announced this week his intention of stepping down from the position effective Jan. 31. Grittner will remain employed by SD46 until Oct. 24. This is to ensure a smooth transition between him and the new secretary-treasurer and that the Chatelech Secondary School expansion project, which has been a major project for Grittner, is done on time and on budget.
The board of school trustees plans to meet next week to decide who will take over Grittner's position.
"I've been thinking about moving on for quite a while, and recently I took some time to reflect. It just seems like the right time to go out," Grittner said. "The way this is going to work, it allows me to gradually move into retirement. It's a nice transition period too, because it allows me to wrap up a few things and it makes the move for the new person taking over a much smoother one."
Grittner served as secretary-treasurer for SD46 for the past three years. He has more than 20 years' experience as a secretary-treasurer in four other B.C. school districts. Prior to his move to the Coast, he held the same position in the Queen Charlotte School District.
He began his career in Keremeos and subsequently worked in the South Okanagan, Armstrong - Spallumcheen and Summerland School Districts. He was seconded to the Ministry of Education as acting director of school finance.
He also has experience as an administrator of an intermediate care facility and as an interim supply minister with the United Church of Canada.
"It's been a good three years," he said. "There is a good, positive attitude in the schools and people care about students on the Coast. I want to do other things, but I am sure I will stay in touch with the school communities."
"Mr. Grittner has impressed the trustees with his strength in financial areas," said board chair Joe Brooks in a news release. "His knowledge, expertise and experience has been as asset to the school district. We are pleased that he has agreed to stay on until the Chatelech construction is completed. "The board of trustees wish him well in his future endeavours."
