Skip to content

Near North Director of Education retiring

Near North District School Board News Release ************************ The Near North District School Board announces the retirement of Director of Education, Heli Vail, effective August 31, 2011.



Near North District School Board
News Release

************************

The Near North District School Board announces the retirement of Director of Education, Heli Vail, effective August 31, 2011. She has worked with the students in this community for over 36 years in various capacities in the board, including as a teacher, vice principal, principal and superintendent. The Near North District School Board provides public education to over 10 400 students in the North Bay, Almaguin and Parry Sound regions.

During Ms. Vail's time with the board there have been significant gains in student achievement through elementary and secondary student achievement initiatives, as well as the implementation of a strategic plan that focuses the board's work in four standards of excellence which highlights Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The Near North District School Board has been a leader in the implementation of the electronic delivery of curriculum through blended learning, e-learning and the use of hand-held technologies as a means to engage students and to enhance student achievement. Current board projects are reviewed by other boards around the province.

The Chair of the Near North District School Board, Kathy Hewitt, thanks Heli for her commitment to education and the development of the Near North education community.

Heli Vail has had a long career in education with the Near North community and she is very proud of her contribution to the board and grateful for the people she has had the pleasure to work with. All who have worked with Ms. Vail know of her desire to improve the learning process and its outcomes, as well as the effort she has made to contribute to public education throughout the district.

Ms. Vail has been actively involved in provincial initiatives with her professional association and she welcomes the opportunity to work with the Council of Ontario Directors of Education as a transition to retirement. She points out, however, that she will miss her long time commitment to the Near North District School Board.

************************