ÈOES principal leaving for school board

The principal of Ècole Olds Elementary School will be leaving his post after this school year is through.

After three-and-a-half years, Rod MacLean will be headed to the Chinook's Edge School Division this fall as division principal.

"I'm very sad to be leaving Olds Elementary," said MacLean, "this is an amazing school, and the people who are in it (are amazing), both the big people and the little people. I really love it here."

But MacLean said it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"I had to put my name in for it, because I think it really fits me well," said MacLean, "but I am not eager to leave Olds Elementary."

In his new role, MacLean – who was also vice-principal and principal of River Valley School in Sundre for 14 years, as well as a teacher in the Northwest Territories – will focus on supporting new teachers in the division. He will work with recent grads and new hires at schools throughout the division, to "make sure that we have the best teachers possible."

"I think it fits my skill set, working with new teachers, helping them along," said MacLean. "I've done a lot of it over my career, it's been a priority for me and that means I fit this job very well."

MacLean expects that four days out of five he will be visiting schools, while the remainder of his time will be spent at the division office in Innisfail, where he will also serve on committees.

MacLean has no plans to mix things up in his new role, saying the division is on the right path and has made great progress and growth recently.

"I think my role is to support that continued growth in the direction that we are going."

In the interim, MacLean will work closely with the new principal on transition planning. The job posting to fill the position closed April 6, and MacLean expects someone in place by the end of April.

"I'm really going to miss the kids," said MacLean. "But I'm looking forward to seeing all those new teachers and getting a chance to help shape them."