Dear families,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Yake as the Interim Director of YRDSB, effective November 1, 2022. Scott brings experience and knowledge from his previous roles as Associate Director with York Region District School Board and as Special Advisor with the Ministry of Education.
With a wealth of knowledge from his work in the education sector over the past four decades, we are certain that Scott Yake will help guide us to ensure the most positive learning and working environment for our students and staff. We look forward to having Scott join the Board and work with us as we collaborate with staff and families across York Region.
Scott previously served YRDSB for 30 years as a teacher, Vice-Principal, Principal, Superintendent, Coordinating Superintendent, and Associate Director of Education. In 2018, Scott was seconded to the Ontario Ministry of Education as a Special Advisor in Education Labour Relations and Operations where he played a provincial role in sector-wide negotiations as well as providing leadership during the provincial response to schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently Mr. Yake has acted as the Leadership Development Strategist for The Salvation Army (Canada and Bermuda Territory).
Scott has a Masters of Education from the University of Toronto (OISE) in Educational Leadership and Administration, and has completed executive leadership programs at U of T’s Rotman School of Management and Western University’s Ivey Business School. Throughout his career, Mr. Yake has been committed to supporting and developing individual and organizational leadership, success for all students, student and staff well-being, building trusting relationships and empowering high performing teams to deliver exemplary results through cohesive, relational and inclusive practices.
As the Board continues to implement the policy for the recruitment of a permanent Director of Education, we will be consulting with the community and other stakeholders.
I would like to thank Louise Sirisko for her years of service to YRDSB and public education in Ontario and wish her well in her future endeavors.
I know Scott will be reaching out to community partners, staff and meeting students and families in schools over the coming weeks and months. His goal will be to ensure the continued success of the organization and assist with transition for the permanent Director.
The Board of Trustees is in the process of recruiting a permanent Director of Education; a search will be completed by the newly elected Board after Trustees are sworn in. More information will be shared about the Director search process in the near future, including public consultation. In the interim, Scott Yake will hold this position until a permanent Director is in place.
As we finish this term of office, Trustees and staff are united in our commitment to putting our students first.
Sincerely,
Allan Tam,
Chair of the Board