York public school board's education director retiring

YorkRegion.com
February 6, 2014
By Chris Traber

After a distinguished 38-year career in public education, the past four as York Region District School Board director of education, Ken Thurston will retire July 31.

The respected educator and administrator made his announcement at Tuesday’s board meeting.

“I am proud of the achievements I have had the good fortune to be involved in over the past four years,” said Mr. Thurston, who will be 61 at retirement. “The board’s students, staff, parents and community partners have always demonstrated passion, commitment and innovative thinking, which I know will continue to benefit York Region and public education as a whole.”

Since his appointment as director in January 2010, Mr. Thurston added to his legacy.

Some of his achievements include establishing the director’s annual plan, enhanced student, parent and community engagement and more focus on employee relations.

A highlight among his numerous accomplishments is shifting education at the board toward student achievement and well-being, he said.

“We focused on the whole child, a focus on self confidence and physical well being,” he said. “We also paid great attention to children’s metal health and broadened that to staff and community.”

Mr. Thurston said he is proud of his work to broaden and enhance the board’s equity and inclusivity initiatives.

His contribution to the board’s revised mission, vision and values statements and new slogan, unveiled last week, is also a source of professional pride, he said.

“We had a statement since the 1990s and it served us well, but the time was right to reframe, renew and capture who we are,” he said.

In 2008, Mr. Thurston was made a fellow of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, which is rare for non-union members and, in that same year, received a Distinguished Leadership Award from the Ontario Public Supervisory Officials’ Association.

Board chairperson Anna DeBartolo lauded the outgoing director.

“Ken Thurston’s leadership has been instrumental to our board’s many successes,” she said. “As director of education, Ken has implemented a strategic vision focused on delivering high-quality, inclusive education.

“We’re proud of the work he has done and wish him well in his forthcoming retirement.”

Mr. Thurston said he will not be involved in the process to find his successor. Rather, that task will be entrusted to the elected trustees, he said.

The man responsible for more than 121,000 students in 171 elementary schools and 31 secondary schools in Ontario’s third-largest school district remains confident and realistic.

“There’s still lots of work to be done as we evolve as a society and as York Region grows,” he said. “We have to continue to recreate, re-imagine and adapt to changing realities.”

He said he has no concrete plans for retirement beyond spending more time with family and friends.

“I hope to enjoy some pursuits I’ve put on the back burner,” he said. “At this point, I’m pretty open.”