The new superintendent of School District 43 (SD43) is out after taking on the top job Dec. 1, 2024.
In a Jan. 16 letter sent to parents with students in SD43 — the third largest school district in the province — officials said Robert Zambrano will retire effective Feb. 15, 2025, after two-and-a-half months in the position.
He replaced Patricia Gartland, who retired last month after 44 years in SD43.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many exceptional colleagues, students, families and communities for so many years,” Zambrano said in the letter, which noted Randy Manhas, the district’s secretary–treasurer and chief financial officer, “will continue” be the acting superintendent.
Zambrano was as a teacher, administrator and district leader for 34 years at Pinetree and Centennial secondaries, Hastings Junior Secondary and Minnekhada, Citadel and Hillcrest middle schools.
The board of education, which is responsible for hiring the superintendent, will now find a replacement.
Michael Thomas, Port Coquitlam trustee and SD43 board chair, told the Tri-City News that Zambrano's decision wasn't expected. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the board of education will meet in-camera to decide his successor.
"We have some good candidates from the last hiring round," he said, adding, "The district is in good hands."
Zambrano's retirement comes as SD43 is gearing up for a school byelection on Feb. 22, 2025, to replace Coquitlam trustee Jennifer Blatherwick, who was elected as the NDP MLA for Coquitlam–Maillardville last October.
Currently, three Coquitlam residents have announced their candidacy to the Tri-City News:
- union leader Candace Knoll
- DPAC chairperson Rosey Manhas
- teacher and Canadian Armed Forces member Dana Ebtekar
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