Oakville principal lands new senior administration position with Halton school board

By

Published June 8, 2023 at 1:36 pm

Abbey Park High School principal Tara Connor is the new HDSB Superintendent of Education, replacing Scott Podrebarac who is retiring this summer. HDSB PHOTO

Oakville Abbey Park High School principal Tara Connor has been named the Halton District School Board Superintendent of Education.

Connor, a Principal at Abbey Park for six years, fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Superintendent of Education Scott Podrebarac.

Connor has been an administrator in Halton for 20 years across the diverse communities of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.

The successful candidate in the hiring process this spring held by the HDSB, Connor will take over her new role effective Aug. 1, 2023.

“Having been a part of the HDSB community for many years, Tara will be a fantastic addition to the senior administration team,” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the HDSB. “With her teaching, administrative and leadership experience, in addition to her school and system level knowledge of the HDSB and its areas of focus and values, Tara will be invaluable in supporting the students and staff of the HDSB.”

Podrebarac announced his retirement after 30 years in education, nine of those with the HDSB as Superintendent of Education for Halton Hills schools.

“Scott is a remarkable and respected leader in Halton and beyond, whose absence will be felt deeply,” says Ennis. “Of Scott’s many accomplishments, he has been paramount in building and developing the resources to support safe and inclusive schools; he played an instrumental role in bringing Full Day Kindergarten to the HDSB, building strong partnerships with child care operators and schools, and continues to be a strong proponent of bringing the HDSB Multi-Year Plan to life through effective engagement and storytelling with staff and families.

“We wish Scott all the best in his retirement and express our heartfelt gratitude for his guidance, friendship and commitment to students.”

Connor has served as an educational leader in both public and private education. Having started her career as an elementary and secondary school teacher, she has created and implemented programs for students from Kindergarten through to postgraduate studies, notably developing courses for Queen’s University and Charles Sturt University (Dubbo, Australia).

She also served as the past Chair of the Halton Secondary Principals’ Association and was the HDSB’s System Principal for Managing Information for Student Achievement, providing system-level leadership in the areas of school improvement planning, action research and student success.

Connor also held the position of former Principal of Gary Allan Learning Centres, where she was responsible for the Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education Programs offered by the HDSB.

inhalton's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising