​Coquitlam, BC — August 21, 2024 — After a remarkable tenure spanning ten years as superintendent, Patricia Gartland has announced her retirement from School District 43 (Coquitlam), effective December 2024. Her visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and transformative impact have left an indelible mark on our educational community.

Patricia Gartland has an impressive background as an educator and administrator in SD43. She began as a French Immersion teacher, became a Teacher-Librarian, Program Coordinator, K-12 School Administrator, District Principal, and Director of Instruction. She also served as Assistant Superintendent, International and Continuing Education before accepting the role of Superintendent of Schools in 2014. With her passion for languages and her multilingual skills, Patricia Gartland has been a champion of multiculturalism and anti-racism throughout her career, consistently encouraging students and staff to embrace global citizenship.

“The Board of Education is very grateful to Superintendent Patricia Gartland for her extraordinary 44 years of service to our district," Said, Michael Thomas, SD43 Board of Education Chair.  “Throughout her remarkable career she has made a lasting impact in her many roles, profoundly shaping the lives of our students, staff, and the entire community. She has dedicated a lifetime of service to the Coquitlam School District, beginning her career here as a French Teacher before rising through the ranks to become Superintendent of Schools for the past 10 years. Patricia's dedication and visionary leadership have guided the Board of Education through countless challenges and achievements. Patricia will be deeply missed at the Board table, her unwavering commitment to education has been an inspiration to all, and we are incredibly thankful for her many years of exceptional service. We wish her well on all of her next adventures in her well-deserved retirement."

A Legacy of Excellence

• Deficit Eradication: Inheriting a daunting $23 million deficit, Superintendent Gartland demonstrated acute fiscal acumen. Through international education fees, she successfully retired the deficit within three years, ensuring financial stability for the district.
• Founding the International Education Program: In 1999, Superintendent Gartland pioneered the International Education Program, which has flourished over the past 25 years. This program, encompassing summer sessions, ESL courses, teacher training, and year-long study opportunities, has attracted students from 32 countries. These global learners will serve as ambassadors for Canada, fostering cultural exchange and understanding.
• Financial Stewardship: Superintendent Gartland's strategic vision generated over half a billion dollars for the school district. These funds benefited all students and supported the establishment of the state-of-the-art Educational Learning Centre. Recognized by the Canadian Bureau for International Education and the BC Council for International Education, the International Education Program in SD43 founded by Patricia Gartland is the most successful in BC.
• Facility Capacity: Seven elementary schools have been rebuilt, expanded or newly opened, four middle schools have been replaced, rebuilt, or expanded, and three secondary schools have been rebuilt, expanded, or approved for construction under Superintendent Gartland's guidance.
• Advancing STEAM Education: Superintendent Gartland's support for innovation and technology extended to computational thinking, Microbits, Spheros, and the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP). Her recognition of the importance of generative artificial intelligence has set the foundation for enriching the educational landscape of the future.
• Technological Advancement: Superintendent Gartland championed long-term investments in technological infrastructure, positioning the district for the 21st century. Her surplus policy and plan provided enduring financial security.
• Modernized Professional Development: Superintendent Gartland fostered professional growth through meetings with principals, vice principals, and district leaders. These sessions addressed the transformative changes in education, ensuring that our educators remained at the forefront of best practices.
• Leadership and Innovation: From orienting new trustees to overseeing pension transitions, Superintendent Gartland's leadership was unwavering. She revitalized school-based teams, streamlined human resources processes, and developed visionary strategic plans for the future.
• Navigating Crisis: During the COVID pandemic, Superintendent Gartland ensured that students had access to technology and that schools remained open and safe. Her commitment to student achievement remained steadfast, with results consistently ranking among the highest in the province.
• Global Influence: As a sought-after speaker at international conferences, Superintendent Gartland shared her expertise and inspired educators worldwide with her vision of global citizenship and internationalization.

A Grateful Community

The School District 43 community extends heartfelt gratitude to Superintendent Patricia Gartland for her tireless dedication, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to student success. Her legacy will resonate for generations to come.​