Dave Driscoll takes on leadership role Oct. 1
An educator with 27 years of teaching and leadership experience in southern Alberta will bring a focus on teamwork and relationship building to his new role as superintendent of Palliser Regional Schools.
Dave Driscoll will take the reins of Palliser on Oct. 1, after spending the past four years as superintendent of Livingstone Range School Division, overseeing schools from Nanton to Fort Macleod and Crowsnest Pass.
“I’m looking forward to the new challenges and working with the staff and board of Palliser Regional Schools,” Driscoll says. “This is an opportunity to go to a system with a strong history of success and continue to build on that.”
Palliser Board Chair Robert Strauss welcomed Driscoll to the division.
“Dave brings a wealth of experience to the position of superintendent,” Strauss says. “He is very familiar with southern Alberta and understands the culture and diversity of our schools. We’re very pleased to have him join the organization.”
Driscoll’s appointment followed a four-month search process, facilitated by an international executive search firm. The process included a survey inviting stakeholders to share what they consider the most important quality a new superintendent should possess, and open houses in the division to give staff and public opportunities to meet directly with the recruiters.
Strauss says the process resulted in the board considering several high-calibre candidates.
Driscoll spent 22 years of his career in Horizon School Division, located in Taber and area, as teacher, principal, director and associate superintendent. As a principal, he had experience at all grade levels. In his associate role, he oversaw several key portfolios including English as a Second Language, inclusive education, counselling services and international education.
As superintendent of Livingstone, Driscoll says he led a strong team that introduced innovative programs to meet student needs.
“Everything we do is teamwork,” he says of his approach to leadership.
Among his priorities are ensuring students at small schools experience the same high quality educational opportunities as their peers at larger schools, and giving students opportunity to learn from and with peers from different backgrounds and cultures.
Part of Palliser’s appeal is its unique diversity, with urban and rural schools, including programs for Low German-speaking Mennonite, Christian and Islamic students, Driscoll says.
Driscoll earned his Bachelor of Physical Education and his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary. He completed a Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.
Driscoll’s wife Tracey has a background in family support and parent coaching. They have two daughters: Kelsey graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and psychology, and she now works in Calgary doing recreational planning for preschool-aged children; Hailey is working toward the same degree as her sister and she is part of the U of L rugby squad.
Until Driscoll’s appointment takes effect Oct. 1, Brian Andjelic will serve as Palliser’s acting superintendent. Andjelic recently retired as superintendent of Prairie Rose School Division, headquartered in Dunmore, near Medicine Hat.
Palliser Regional Schools is a public school board with schools from Coaldale to Calgary, serving about 8,300 students.