Director of Education to retire in August 2020

Limestone Learning Foundation
Director of Education to retire in August 2020
Posted on 01/30/2020
Image of Director Rantz with studentsAfter more than 27 years in public education, Director of Education Debra Rantz will retire from the Limestone District School Board at the end of this school year.

Director Rantz joined Limestone in 2015 after an extensive teaching career with roles as teacher, head of department, vice-principal, principal, and superintendent. In addition to her time with the Renfrew County District School Board, Director Rantz was one of five Canadians chosen to be part of an international team of educators to establish and lead a new Kindergarten to Grade 13 school in Brunei Darussalam. She also served as Chief Assessment Officer with the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) prior to joining Limestone.

She sits as an executive member of the Council of Directors of Education (CODE), is Eastern Region Director of the Provincial Council of Directors of Education (PCODE), and served on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Public Supervisory Officer Association (OPSOA). She was also nominated to the Ontario Institute for Educational Leadership, and as a principal, Director Rantz was among the first recipients of the Dr. Bette Stephenson Award of Excellence. 

“While the work in each of these capacities brought unique pleasures and challenges, I have approached each through the eyes of a teacher, and it is as a teacher that I retire,” said Rantz. “Our students have inspired every moment of my work and I delight in their stories of achievement and well-being.”

During her five years in Limestone, Rantz has collaborated with students, staff, trustees, families and community partners to build a progressive and ambitious strategic plan, as well as lead the building of two new schools, and the presentation of balanced budgets each year with resources directed where they will most benefit students.

Board Chair Suzanne Ruttan says Director Rantz has always been a strong champion of education at every level. “She is an outstanding leader who embraces our important work to nurture the growth of future citizens, and our schools have continued to advance and grow under her leadership,” says Ruttan. “We wish her nothing but happiness in her future.”

When she reflects on her career, Director Rantz is proud of the work completed during her tenure in Limestone. “Despite changing conditions and new directions in public education, I am proud to say that as a board, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring our collective work benefits all students and, together, this is our legacy.”

Rantz’s last official day will be August 31, 2020. The Board of Trustees will soon begin the process of recruitment for a new director with assistance from an executive search firm. 

For more information, please contact:
Jane Douglas, Communications officer
Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 311 | 613-328-0916 mobile
Karen Smith, Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 314 | 613-328-0947 mobile

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.