The Gold Trail School District is beginning its search for a new Superintendent of Schools.

It comes as Theresa Downs has announced her resignation from SD74, which will be effective on February 14 of next year.

She will be moving into a new role as the Superintendent of Schools at Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows School District, ending a 13 year association with the Gold Trail School District.

In a release from School District 42, Downs said she was “honoured” to be joining the district, effective February 26.

“The cornerstone of my educational approach is building and nurturing relationships with high expectations of student success. It’s about purposeful collaboration with our students, their families, rights-holders, and community partners to ensure that all students can thrive,” Downs said.

“As I step into this new role, I look forward to engaging with our talented educators, staff, and the broader community to continue cultivating learning environments that empower every student to reach their potential.”

The Gold Trail School District – which includes Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Clinton, Lillooet and Lytton – will begin the search for her replacement in the coming weeks.

“The board is grateful for Theresa’s outstanding transformative educational leadership and unwavering dedication to students, staff, families and all communities in Gold Trail over the past 13 years,” it said in a release dated November 16.

SD74 has once again engaged long serving BC superintendent and education leader Anne Cooper to support its efforts to recruit a new Superintendent of Schools.