Elk Island Public School's (EIPS) longest-serving superintendent will be moving on at the end of the school year.
Mark Liguori, 62, has been teaching since the late 1980s and has served as the division's superintendent since 2015.
"It has absolutely been rewarding," said Liguori. "It's the people I will remember the most regardless of whether it's our staff, our parents or our students."
Being in the role for the past eight years has proven to be anything but ordinary, but Liguori looks back fondly on all the challenges that came his way.
"I'm incredibly proud of the work we have done with our First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities," said Liguori. "Also being able to get through the real challenges that COVID presented...we have real promising results that show our families, kids, and our division has come out on the other side and is doing better than expected."
"Those are all victories for us."
Though not quick to pat himself on the back, Liguori gives a lot of credit to those that worked alongside him. The word from those people is that he will be dearly missed.
“EIPS has thrived under Superintendent Liguori’s leadership,” said Trina Boymook, the EIPS Board Chair. “His vision for providing the best possible educational opportunities for all students provides a consistent focus not just for trustees, but for every employee across the Division."
"We’ll miss his guidance and are grateful for the incredible job he’s done.”
Liguori will stay on as superintendent until the end of the school year, after which the EIPS' board of trustees will recruit his replacement.
"I’ve been so fortunate to work with such dedicated staff, who on a daily basis ensure the success and well-being of students at EIPS,” said Liguori. “Whoever my successor is, that individual will quickly realize what an incredible base of support and knowledge they have to draw upon.”
As for what Liguori will be up to in his retirement, he says it will be a lot different than what he currently does.
"I've always enjoyed the outdoors and doing tons of different things whether it be fishing, cycling, or hunting," said Liguori. "I think my initial plan is to completely dissolve myself from the world I've been in for decades and not only spend time with family but also enjoy those things that typically get crammed into the weekend."
As much as the division and community will miss Liguori, the feeling is mutual.
"Regardless of who you are in the community, I am just so thankful to everyone for the welcome I received in 2015 and just for the work, the understanding, and the collective effort that has gone into the eight years of my superintendency."