News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--METRO-HALIFAX SUPERINTENDENT APPOINTED ----------------------------------------------------------------- Local administrator and teacher Don Trider has been appointed superintendent of the Metro-Halifax Regional School Board. Dr. Trider, currently the chief executive officer of the Halifax County-Bedford District School Board, will begin his duties with the new board as soon as possible. Amalgamation coordinator Dr. Len Williams, who announced the appointment on behalf of the local amalgamation committee today, said Dr. Trider's experience and knowledge of local education issues will be a definite asset as he takes the helm of what will be the province's largest regional school board. Dr. Trider began his career as a teacher in the Dartmouth District Board and progressed through the system to vice-principal, and principal before becoming subsystem supervisor for the county in 1978. In 1989, Dr. Trider was appointed superintendent of educational services for the county and assumed responsibility for 33,000 students and a workforce of 2,500 as CEO of the board in 1994. Dr. Trider received his Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Arts in Education from Dalhousie. In 1983, he was awarded a sabbatical leave to pursue doctorial studies at the University of Toronto. In 1995, Dr. Trider completed his thesis on Factors Influencing the Policy Implementation Behaviour of Principals and received his Doctor of Education. Dr. Trider has researched and published other articles on this topic and has presented papers in Canada and the United States. Dr. Williams also noted Dr. Trider's involvement in the development of a provincially and nationally recognized policy on race relations, cross cultural understanding and human rights. "Dr. Trider has initiated a number of innovative, community-orientated programs. This, combined with his approach to education and management will enable him to pilot the new regional board into the 21st century," said Dr. Williams. In addition to serving on a number of professional and non-profit associations, Dr. Trider has participated on ministerial advisory committees on home schooling, junior and senior high school public school programs and the department's task force on fine arts. Dr. Trider was selected following the same rigorous screening process used to hire all superintendents. Advertisements were placed nationally, applicants were short-listed and candidates were interviewed by all members of the local amalgamation committee, as well as representatives from the Department of Education and Culture. Interview questions focused on leadership and management, operational management, communications and interpersonal skills, knowledge and background in educational issues and personal and professional adaptiveness. -30- Contact: Dr. Len Williams 902-424-3811 jlw April 22, 1996 5:30 p.m.