The School District 27 board officially accepted the resignation of Superintendent of Schools Mark Thiessen during a special closed board meeting Tuesday evening.
“On behalf of the board, I wish Mark great success in his next endeavor," said board chair Tanya Guenter Wednesday.
"The board is very appreciative of all the work Mark has done on behalf of the board during his years as superintendent, and also over his many years of working with the school district.”
Thiessen is leaving SD 27 on Aug. 31. He confirmed last week that he has accepted a postition as principal at the Mennonite Educational Institute’s (MEI) high school in Abbotsford.
Realizing that the timing of Mr. Thiessen’s resignation is not the most opportune time for recruitment of a new superintendent, Guenther said the board will seek to hire an interim superintendent for the 2016-2017 school year with the added responsibility of assisting the board in the recruiting a successor for Thiessen.
In the meantime, effective Sept. 1, Guenther said Assistant Superintendent Harj Manhas has been appointed as acting superintendent.
Guenther said the board is confident Manhas will provide the excellent leadership required until such time as the board officially appoints an interim superintendent.
“We are (the board) very appreciative of Mr. Manhas stepping in to assist during this time of transition," Guenther said.