Mrs. Effie Maniatis, who's just stepped down as Director General of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, is pictured here meeting with teachers and administrators of Laval Junior High School at the start of the school year. Her visit was part of an extensive tour that was exceptionally well received throughout the Laurier Board's schools.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Effie Maniatis steps down
Leaves post of Director General of Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
For reasons which she did not disclose, Mrs. Effie Maniatis resigned as Director-General of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board this past week.
The announcement of the resignation of the Laurier Board's top administrator was made by at the Council of Commissioners meeting of Wednesday, March 28, by Chairman Steve Bletas.
This unexpected development, coming just nine months after Mrs. Maniatis was appointed, was received with shock in some quarters as there had been little indication in public circles that such a drastic change was in the making.
"Mrs. Maniatis informed us that she no longer wished to act in the capacity of Director-General and that she was stepping down for reasons which she left unstated," Mr. Bletas told the Courrier Laval Weekly News in an interview shortly after the Council had passed a unanimous resolution to accept the resignation.
"Under the circumstances, we did not have any choice so we decided to respect her wishes," Mr. Bletas added.
The Council's resolution reads, in part, that "Whereas Effie Maniatis wishes to cease acting as Director General, and the School Board and Mrs. Maniatis wish to terminate her appointment as Director General on the terms and conditions agreed upon by both parties … be it moved that the Council of Commissioners of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board mandate Steve Bletas, Chairman of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Board to conclude this agreement on its behalf."
Mrs. Maniatis will remain in the employ of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board until June 30, 2007 in the capacity of Senior Advisor to the Council of Commissioners.
In a subsequent resolution, the Council appointed current Assistant Director General Anne-Marie Lepage to the position of interim Director General until the position is filled, and mandated the Director of Human Resources to start the process to fill the post of Director General.
In another major administrative development, the Laurier Board exercised its option to terminate the probationary period and employment of Josephine Battista, Secretary General, effective April 27, 2007.
Until the post is filled, the duties of the Secretary General will be temporarily assumed by Interim Director General Anne-Marie Lepage.
Late-week efforts by Courrier Laval Weekly News to speak to Mrs. Maniatis and Mrs. Lepage about the administrative changes proved unsuccessful.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
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