I am pleased to announce that Bill Cober has been appointed by the Board of Trustees as the next Director of Education for York Region District School Board. Bill will start in the role on August 1, 2023.
Bill first joined YRDSB in 1996. He served as an elementary school teacher until 2005, when he was appointed as Vice Principal. In 2008, he was appointed Principal, moving to Principal on Assignment, Operations, Education and Community Services in 2016. He was promoted to the role of Superintendent in 2020, serving as Superintendent of Schools with CEC West until 2022, when he moved into his current position as Superintendent of Human Resources Services and Chief Negotiator.
We look forward to welcoming Bill to the role. He brings nearly 30 years of experience in public education in York Region, and has extensive educational leadership experience, as well as experience in municipal government. Bill has strengths in relationship building, strategic decision making and building equitable and inclusive organizations. He has a collaborative and strategic approach to leadership and a passionate belief in the capacity and potential of all students.
Bill’s background includes rich and diverse educational, instructional, organizational, operational, governance and relational leadership skills and experiences.
Over the coming months, the Board will embark on comprehensive strategic plan review. This work will set the vision and direction for our Board for the years to come. Bill has extensive experience and skills that will facilitate a robust public engagement and consultation process. We look forward to working with Bill and the community to establish this process in the coming months.
I would also like to thank Scott Yake for serving as Director of Education (Interim) since November 2022. He will remain in the role until July 31, 2023.
We are grateful for the dedicated and thoughtful leadership Scott has provided during this interim period. We have benefited from his expertise, commitment to relationship building and inclusivity, and his focus on student achievement and well-being.
Please join me in congratulating Bill and thanking Scott.
Ron Lynn
Chair