Blog Posts

The coming school year will be my 30th in public education.  It hardly seems possible, but I’ve double checked the math. It’s been an extraordinary journey so far, and I am beyond grateful for the wonderful experiences and opportunities that have been afforded me. Inspired by my friend and colleague Chris Kennedy, who is well known for posting lists on his Culture of Yes blog, I have decided to commemorate the occasion by posting a list of my own.

As I reflect on the many high school graduations I have attended over the years, the occasion never loses its magic. Each time I see our students donning their caps and gowns, I am filled with a profound sense of pride and accomplishment. The nature of our work in public education often means the fruits of our labour are not immediately visible the way they are, for example, when a developer hands over the keys to a new home. Our equivalent moment comes at graduation. It is a symbolic turning of the keys, marking the beginning of a new chapter for our graduates.

Many years ago, as I trained for my first marathon, one of my mentors—a seasoned runner with countless marathons behind him—shared invaluable wisdom about the importance of finishing strong. He emphasized the need to maintain enough energy to cross the finish line with a smile and a strong pace, regardless of how the race began.

I can still recall his words echoing in my mind: “Remember, it’s not about how you start the marathon; it’s about how you finish. Finish strong.”

I think it is important for a Superintendent to try and stay connected to what is happening across the district and the broader community. While there are never enough hours in the week, I do my best to make regular rounds and to take in community events. And wherever possible, I like to share the good things I see.

There are no guarantees in life, but wherever you want to go or can imagine going, education is probably the best way there. How does a child in Kindergarten one day become an architect? How does a grade nine student become an arthroscopic surgeon or an agriculturist? How does one become an electrician or a chef? You guessed it - education. This is why I often describe education as the bridge to anywhere.

New Enterprise Resource Planning Software

The SOFI, or Statement of Financial Information, is a reporting requirement under the Financial Information Act. The report is due December 31 and must contain the district’s audited financial statements, a list of employees’ remuneration and expenses (if total remuneration exceeds $75,000) and a list of payments made to suppliers (if total payments exceed $25,000) for the year ended June 30th.

One of the key challenges businesses and organizations have in this modern world is the management of data, and the Abbotsford School District is no different.  The district needs an enterprise resource planning system (ERP) that is robust, adaptable, modern and secure. In any given year, the district processes millions of lines of data. Tracked over Finance, Human Resources, Payroll, Purchasing, work orders, school bank accounts, etc., the complexity grows exponentially as do the challenges of managing and securing the information.

Did you know the Abbotsford School District is a registered charitable organization? The district has been a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency since 1975 and is permitted to issue receipts for donations it receives that the donor may in turn use to claim a tax credit.

The donations we receive are many – and for many reasons. Over the last few years, we’ve issued receipts totaling nearly $400,000. It breaks down year by year as: