News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--SCHOOL BOARD SUPERINTENDENT HIRED
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A well-known educator, senior administrator and community
leader has been hired as superintendent for the new Cape
Breton-Victoria Regional School Board.
Dr. Hayes MacNeil, current superintendent of the Cape Breton
district school board, will be on the job within 10 days,
providing the leadership to amalgamate the Cape Breton and
Northside-Victoria school boards by the target date of
April 1.
Rene Patry, who chairs the local amalgamation committee and
the selection committee, said, "Dr. MacNeil knows the
people, the communities and schools in both districts very
well. Most important, whether he is in the classroom or the
boardroom, he always thinks of students first."
Dr. MacNeil has 32 years of experience within the Cape
Breton region, teaching at every level of school, from
elementary through to university. He quickly advanced into
supervisory and senior administrative positions, bringing
him to his current appointment in 1993 as superintendent of
schools for the Cape Breton district.
Dr. MacNeil completed his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of
Education at St. Francis Xavier University. He then went on
to complete his Doctor of Education at the University of
Tennessee. Dr. MacNeil has always been an active community
volunteer, from coaching sports, to serving on the UCCB and
Nova Scotia School Athletic Foundation boards of directors,
to serving as educational co-ordinator for the Police Club
building campaign.
In his application letter, Dr. MacNeil said: "What these
experiences have taught me is that education is about
development -- the development of children. I think we can
make a difference, and after 32 years, I am optimistic that
we can improve education even in tough times."
Dr. MacNeil was selected following a rigorous screening
process, being used to hire all superintendents.
Advertisements were placed nationally, applicants were
short-listed and candidates were interviewed by a committee
with representatives from the local amalgamation committee
and 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.
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Contact: Rene Patry 902-563-2080
trp Feb. 01, 1996 - 12:05 p.m.