Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) education director John Howitt has announced his intention to retire later this school year, after 33-years in education.
Howitt, who was appointed LKDSB director in 2019 following a 27-year tenure with the Greater Essex County District School Board, will retire April 30, 2025.
“I am incredibly grateful to have spent my career surrounded by individuals dedicated to the safety, happiness, health, well-being, and success of children,” Howitt said in a news release. “Throughout my career, supporting students has been at the heart of my work.”
Howitt began his career as a core French teacher in Windsor before becoming a vice principal during the school board amalgamations in 1998. In 2003, he was promoted to the role of principal and in 2006 was named the inaugural principal at Lakeshore Discovery School.
“As my career took me away from teaching in a classroom, I was able to continue this important work through mentoring many extraordinary individuals,” he added.
In 2009, Howitt was named superintendent of education; he was honoured with the Ontario Principals Council Paul Lajeunesse Award for Leadership, Microsoft’s Bob Allison Award for Leadership in Educational Technology Implementation and awarded “The Most Horrible Singing Voice” by Gordon McGregor Public School’s Grade 5M class of 2000-2001.
Howitt has also served in various community roles, including the Ontario Public Supervisory Officers’ Association Board of Directors; the Chatham-Kent Community Leaders’ Cabinet; Chair of the South West Council of Ontario Directors in Education; and Executive Member of the CAES-ECAB Employee Benefit Trust.
Under his leadership with the LKDSB, the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice (EDIJ) department at was established, the board’s strategic priorities were modernized, and annual Operational Plans were created to guide the actions and objectives of LKDSB’s Senior Administration and staff, a news release added.
“He achieved all of this, and more, while overseeing 62 schools, more than 3,300 staff members, and nearly 22,000 students and their families through the persistent challenges and evolving circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“I have been fortunate to have worked within two school boards and been exposed to many others across the province and Canada,” said Howitt. “I can say, unequivocally, that the work taking place in the Lambton Kent District School Board on behalf of its students is exceptional and our staff consistently go above and beyond to support their students.
"I want to thank the LKDSB team for welcoming me into the family 6 years ago and for their steadfast commitment to fostering success for every student every day.”