The head of Burnaby's school district has announced he is retiring this summer.
At the last school board meeting on May 8, superintendent Claudio Morelli announced he was planning to retire this August.
"I feel actually very privileged," Morelli said. "I've been very fortunate to have worked with so many dedicated and outstanding people."
Morelli said he still wants to be involved in public education, he's just not sure in what capacity.
"I spent 34 years in public education, and I am a strong believer in it. I want to continue to contribute in some way, what that will look like I don't know," he said.
"Burnaby has been fortunate to have had Claudio in our district for seven years. It is clear from his passion, commitment and sincerity that his career calling has been so much more than a job, - it's been his life," said board chair Larry Hayes. "The students, staff and parents of Burnaby, and the other districts where he has worked, have been the beneficiaries. Thank you for the role you have played in moving the district forward."
Morelli has spent more than three decades working in education. In 1978, he started his career as a teacher and later moved on to administration duties. In 2005, he took on an assistant superintendent position with the Burnaby school district and was later appointed superintendent of schools, replacing retiring superintendent Sheila Rooney.
Elected school trustees decide who will replace Morelli, but Hayes said the news was unexpected and that they have not yet met to plan the hiring process.
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