The Sooke School DistrictB次元官网网址檚 Board of Education has a new chair.

Bob Phillips, who accepted a nomination from fellow trustee Ravi Parmar, was installed Tuesday as head of the board when previous chair Wendy Hobbs chose not to accept a nomination from trustee Denise Riley.

Rather than run for a seventh consecutive year, Hobbs read a prepared statement to the board and those in attendance.

B次元官网网址淚 have been thinking about this. Although I would like to continue the work we have done as a board in the past, it has come to my attention from a trustee B次元官网网址� I do not have his support, or full support of the board,B次元官网网址� Hobbs said. B次元官网网址淭he job of board chair here is difficult enough when you do have full support and even more strenuous without it. For that reason I have made a decision not to stand for the position of chair.B次元官网网址�

Following her statement, Hobbs stood up and walked out of the meeting before elections were complete and rest of the board meeting began, saying she was heading to watch her granddaughter in her first PACE performance.

In a follow-up interview, Hobbs did not name the non-supportive trustee, and said she hadnB次元官网网址檛 heard any reason why she no longer had the support of the board.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very difficult for me,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 felt the board has been doing great; it ran well, got things done, was going in right direction.

B次元官网网址淪o to be told I need change was a bit shocking to me B次元官网网址� I knew I didnB次元官网网址檛 have enough votes to become chair B次元官网网址� I felt that I would not run so the majority of trustees could have the change they wanted.B次元官网网址�

Elections concluded with Dianna Seaton taking over PhillipsB次元官网网址� previous position of vice-chair, Margot Swinburnson the provincial council representative, Neil Poirier taking the spot as the B.C. Public School Employers Association representative and Ravi Parmar as the BCPSEA alternate. None of the elections went to a vote, as all positions were acclaimed.

Despite taking over her long-time position as chair, Phillips said he was grateful for the work Hobbs has done over the years.

B次元官网网址淭here are no adjectives that could describe the amount of time that is required when you are building new schools, when you are having job action, when you are having government changes,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淭his is why Wendy leads the polls, she is so completely caring when it comes to kids and families and staff B次元官网网址� She should feel justifiably proud of all of the things she has done for this district.B次元官网网址�

Phillips described himself as a poor farm boy from Ontario who became a clinical social worker. He taught in Africa twice, taught at university and has been a school trustee for 19 years.

B次元官网网址淚 really donB次元官网网址檛 see any difference in the direction or the work or whatever that goes on with the board. The voice and the face change,B次元官网网址� Phillips said. B次元官网网址淲endy and I worked closely together and we will continue to (do so). The story to me is how do we continue to support our staff and produce the educational outcomes that are expected from a board and a superintendent.B次元官网网址�

alim@goldstreamgazette.com