The Greater Victoria School Board has given the position of superintendent to the woman who has been serving in the role for the past year.
Deb Whitten was appointed the interim superintendent for the 2021/2022 school year after the former superintendent, Shelley Green, resigned.
“In this role, I am committed to continuing to build relationships with the Rightsholders: the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation, and with the Métis Nation of Greater Victoria and The Urban Peoples’ House Indigenous Advisory, stakeholders, Board of Education and the community partner,” Whitten said.
“I am excited to continue my journey in the District as we work together to nurture each student’s learning and well-being in a safe, inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment.”
Whitten has been with the district since 2010, where she started as a principal for Monterey Middle School, then principal for SJ Willis Education Centre. She became district principal in 2014, then served as associated superintendent from 2015-2018. From 2018-2021 she served as the deputy superintendent.
“Over the past year, Ms. Whitten has demonstrated strong leadership as acting Superintendent. She stepped into the role at a very challenging time as the organization continued to navigate the many challenges that came because of the pandemic,” said Ryan Painter, board chair of the district.
“Through it all, Ms. Whitten led with integrity and modeled forward-thinking and collaborative leadership in public education.”
In the year that Whitten was appointed interim superintendent, the school board has been dealing with a number of contentious issues, including the suspension of two trustees.
Rob Paynter and Diane McNally were suspended for allegations of bullying, and the pair filed a petition in the B.C. Supreme Court, where it was revealed that Green is alleged to have cited bullying by the two as a reason for her resignation, though the resignation letter was not filed as evidence in court.
Paynter and McNally have appealed the suspension in the B.C. Supreme Court on the grounds that school boards do not have the authority to remove elected officials from office, and a final decision on the matter has not yet been released.
Additionally, Whitten was appointed as interim superintendent in July 2021, then in August 2021 the board chair resigned following allegations of systemic racism within the district.
READ MORE: Judge to release written decision in suspended Greater Victoria trustees hearing
Laura Brougham
