PRINCE GEORGE – It has been 10 months now since School District 57 Superintendent Anita Richardson went on leave from her position.
Since Richardson left, no details have been shared about her absence. There is currently no timeline on when any information will be shared.
Jennifer Whiteside, BC Minister of Education was asked if she was concerned about the leave in an interview with CKPG News.
Whiteside danced around answering the question but did note that consistent leadership was important to a significant culture change.
Consistent leadership has been something hard to find for SD57, the recent special advisors report called the senior leadership “a revolving door.”
Since 2015 the district has had five superintendents.
Since Richardson left her position, Cindy Heitman has been Acting Superintendent and will be until further notice according to an SD57 spokesperson.
After several requests for an interview on Thursday by CKPG News, nobody from SD57 or the SD57 Board of Education. were made available for an interview.
Public documents show Richardson collected approximately $130k in the 2019/20 reporting year, while Heitman collected just over $200k.
It is unknown at this time if Richardson has been earning her salary during her absence. School District 57 would not confirm if Richardson was placed on medical leave, or on administrative leave.
Richardson was hired back in January 2020, and went on leave in December 2020.
