Burnaby School District appoints new superintendent

Burnaby School District announced on Mon. Dec. 18 that Karim Hachlaf has been appointed to the role of superintendent, effective April 1, 2024. Hachlaf has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, educator and administrator. He has been the superintendent of the New Westminster School District since 2018. 

“Karim has a strong commitment to Reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion that guides his work. We are confident his leadership will enrich the Burnaby School District’s ongoing commitment to inclusive education and the success of all our students,” Bill Brassington, chair of the Burnaby School Board said in a statement. “Karim has an exceptional track record as a proven leader, and he has the skills to build upon what makes the Burnaby School District such a great place to learn and work.”

Hachlaf started out as a social studies and physical education teacher at Argyle Secondary School in North Vancouver from 1999 to 2005. After that he moved on to several other leadership roles as principal of several schools until he joined the New Westminster School District as associate superintendent in 2017. In 2018, he became superintendent of the New Westminster School District. 

Hachlaf holds bachelor’s degrees in education and human kinetics from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration, also from UBC. 

“As a long-time resident of Burnaby, and with my own children attending Burnaby schools, I am both excited and honored to take on the role of superintendent for the Burnaby School District. I am looking forward to building on the district’s current successes and collaborating with students, staff, parents and the community as we work together to shape the future,” Hachlaf said. 

This piece was made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

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