GUELPH – Martha Rogers will be staying on for an additional seven months as director of education at the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB).
Originally scheduled to retire at the end of December, Rogers will delay her retirement until August 2021.
“Dr. Rogers has agreed to extend her retirement date and this has been approved by the board,” said UGDSB chair Martha MacNeil, who announced the move at the board’s Nov. 10 business operations meeting.
She thanked the negotiations steering committee for working with Rogers on an agreement.
“We are grateful for Dr. Rogers’ leadership during these challenging times and for the stability her extended retirement date will provide for the system,” said MacNeil.
Rogers has worked in education for more than 46 years and has served as UGDSB director since 1995, making her the longest serving director in Ontario and one of the longest serving directors in Canada.
“Whether you have been serving as a director for 25 weeks or 25 years, this pandemic has brought challenges to all school boards,” said Rogers.
“This has been a very difficult time to many in our communities.
“Working with our education partners, we will work to meet the challenges we continue to face.”
School board officials say Rogers will continue working with senior staff, trustees, educational partners and the community to “address the fiscal and logistical challenges this school year brings.”
The board will continue the process of selecting a director to replace Rogers.
