The Lambton Kent District School Board has renewed the contract of education director John Howitt for five more years, officials announced recently.
Trustees approved the contact renewal at their Feb. 27 board meeting; Howitt’s current contract ends July 31, 2024, and the new contract will expire July 31, 2029.
“I am equal parts grateful for the achievements of our students through the efforts of our staff and excited for the opportunity to reach more goals identified through our Strategic Priorities, and in our Operational Plan,” Howitt said in a news release. “Although our board was not exempt from navigating the rough waters that school boards across the province have faced over the last few years, I am motivated by the incredible team of dedicated staff that I have alongside me, and I am honoured to be able to continue as LKDSB’s Director of Education.”
Howitt was hired in 2019 after serving as superintendent of education for elementary staffing and information technology and a family of schools for the Greater Essex County District School Board.
“Under Director Howitt’s leadership, we have made great progress in terms of student achievement and well-being,” said LKDSB chair Randy Campbell. “The renewal of this contract allows for the LKDSB to continue to push forward, uninterrupted, in efforts to build on those successes and further the commitment to supporting our students.”
The LKDSB also approved the election of three student trustees to serve on the board for the 2024-2025 school year.
Nothern Collegiate’s Ellias Ko was acclaimed the position of Sarnia-Lambton Student Trustee; while Makaiyah Stonefish of Wallaceburg District Secondary School (WDSS) was re-elected to the position of Chatham-Kent Student Trustee, and Brynn Williams of WDSS was elected to the position of Indigenous Student Trustee.
Student Trustees attend all board meetings, participate in all board deliberations with the public, and can introduce agenda items as per the board’s Procedural By-laws. They also receive an honorarium, and hours served count towards their Community Involvement Activities.