After nearly a 35 year career in education, I retired as the Superintendent of Schools in January 2020. While in the role as superintendent, I sat on two national committees, ERDI and C21 and also was an adjunct professor for Gonzaga University. I now work as a leadership consultant supporting the work of school boards, system and school leaders.
Chris Smeaton
Author's posts
Jan 16
Transfers offer an opportunity for growth
I’m two weeks into my annual future plan meetings with all of my administrators. Forty-five minute meetings with approximately 40 principals, associate principals and central office administrators is certainly a time commitment but a very worthwhile endeavour. There is little doubt of the impact on succession planning given the honest information I receive from my …
Jan 03
From the Desk of the Superintendent- January 2016
Welcome to 2016 and may God’s blessings be upon you this new year. I hope that you experienced Christ’s love this past Christmas and enjoyed some wonderful time with family and friends. Starting a couple of years back, January marks the month I hold future plan meetings with all administrators in our division. I have …
Dec 30
Will you open the door?
It is pretty easy these days to initiate a conversation or more accurately an argument by simply bringing up the Syrian Refugee crisis. Very quickly there are two polar opposite camps that debate, why we should or why we should not. Some will contend that it is simply the right thing to do while others, will …
Dec 13
Making the decision on international travel
Board Policy #10- Board Delegation of Authority states the following: The Superintendent has been delegated the authority to approve out-of-province and international field trips. This means that at the end of the day, it is me who decides whether field trips abroad are allowed or not. It is irrelevant to debate whether this is right …
Dec 03
Team Lethbridge 2015
The following article was published in the Lethbridge Herald on December 02, 2015. Last week, I travelled to Edmonton to participate in Team Lethbridge. Holy Spirit is one of 19 diverse partner organizations that make up the membership of Team Lethbridge. Every two years, the group organizes a “mission” to Edmonton to meet with MLAs, …
Dec 02
From the Desk of the Superintendent- December 2015
Three months of school complete and less than three weeks before Christmas vacation. It always amazes me on how quickly the school year passes. Each month I read in the newsletters about the many activities that occur in our schools and the tremendous learning opportunities afforded to our students. I continue to be very grateful for …
Nov 22
Vimy Ridge Tour: A journey not just an event!
It has been over a week now since I returned home from France. Given that I was in Paris during the terrorist attacks, most of my conversations and interviews have been about my experiences around those events. Lost in many ways, was the purpose for my trip to France. In 2017, we will celebrate the …
Nov 01
From the Desk of the Superintendent- November 2015
Happy Catholic Education Sunday! I hope you appreciated the message that was read at masses in our local parishes today. It was written to inform our parishioners, many of whom have no direct connection with education, of the many successes of our division but, it also carried a slightly political message. While I do not believe …
Nov 01
Catholic Education Sunday 2015
Below you will find the message read at all masses this weekend celebrating Catholic Education Sunday. Holy Spirit is a regional division that serves students in Bow Island, Coaldale, Lethbridge, Picture Butte, Pincher Creek, Taber, and surrounding communities. Today, we celebrate Catholic Education Sunday. Each year we set aside this special day to celebrate the …
Oct 21
Getting to Excellent
The following post was published in the Lethbridge Herald on October 21, 2015. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the University of Lethbridge’s Scholarship Breakfast, featuring John Herdman, head coach of the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team, as the guest speaker. His message focused on the ability to get to excellent and, although it …