Local elementary principals Ian MacDonald and Steve Halliday are both retiring this year after 30 or more years as teachers and administrators, all of it in this district.
MacDonald, principal of Winchelsea Elementary School, began in School District 69 in 1980 as a teacher at the former Parksville Middle School.
He became principal of Qualicum Beach Middle School in 1987 and served as principal of French Creek, False Bay and Nanoose Bay elementary schools before joining Winchelsea in 2005.
He contributed at the provincial level by serving on ministry accreditation teams in several districts, usually as chairperson.
Halliday, principal of Errington Elementary, also began as a teacher at Parksville Middle School in 1981.
Since 1990 he has served as vice-principal of Errington Elementary, Winchelsea Elementary and Qualicum Beach Middle schools, and as principal of Bowser, French Creek, False Bay and Errington elementary schools and Oceanside Middle School. He was district principal for curriculum in 2001.
With a background in science and mathematics education, he participated in many provincial curriculum development committees.
Locally he has been an enthusiastic proponent of science education, was on the committee that started programs at Tribune Bay and has recently focused on engaging parents and community in their local school.