Quesnel school board trustees broke into applause late Wednesday, Dec. 15, after Sue-Ellen Miller expressed her gratitude for working as superintendent for the past 16 years.
Miller was presented with flowers by chair Tony Goulet at the Board of Education’s last meeting of the year, which was held in-person at the Quesnel Junior School cafeteria.
Her plans to retire was announced by the district earlier this year.
Goulet noted Miller’s tireless efforts over her years with the district, developing and building relationships with First Nations.
“You can tell by the student success,” Goulet said of Miller’s work.
“It has been impressive and shows in the graduation rates, especially for most vulnerable kids.”
Trustee Cyril Tobin said it had been moving to see the amount of care involved by Miller, which has directed the majority of their work in the district.
Julie-Anne Runge thanked Miller for her passion and love for students
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“It’s not just a job for you,” Runge said to Miller. “You really put your whole heart into leading us to a good place forward where students and staff will be able to thank you.”
Trustee Howie Schonke recalled it being a breath of fresh air when Miller took the role of superintendent years ago.
“It would be my hope and dream at some point in your life you take the time and write a book,” he said.
“I think you have so much stuff that needs to be shared.”
Miller said she has loved working for the Quesnel School District since the time she started and was always amazed that in a small district, you could have such an impact by the work you did.
“When I think about my early days and the support services and beginning to do that work around a school-based team, I was just so thrilled that we had the power to work with people and create systems that would make things better for them,” she said.
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“I just remember sitting in meetings and just being in awe of being part of important conversations, and I felt that all the way through.”
Miller went on to thank everyone she had the fortune of working with and said she would miss the people the most.
Incoming superintendent Dan Lowndes said he had the opportunity to work with Miller for a number of years, and called her retirement a new exciting chapter for not only her life but his as well.
“I’ve been here since I was 18-years-old and am absolutely committed to this community and this district,” he said, noting he has spent the past four and a half months with Miller learning the ropes.
A big round of applause was also shared for outgoing principal of Aboriginal education Patty Kimpton, who was unable to attend Wednesday’s meeting. Kimpton is retiring and will be replaced in the New Year by JoAnne Moiese, a councillor with the Williams Lake First Nation.
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