Superintendent of Schools Kathy Bedard will retire at the end of July. Bedard announced her intentions at the School District 85 board meeting Feb. 14. Bedard has served as superintendent of schools, and previously as director of instruction on the North Island for a total of six years.Chair of the board, Leightan Wishart praised Bedard’s leadership during her tenure as superintendent. “Her focus was always on improving student achievement, even during the difficult fiscal challenges of the last few years,” said Wishart. “Her experience and commitment has been a huge asset to the board. The board of education is reluctant to accept the retirement of Kathy and we wish her the very best in the future.”Bedard joined the school district in August 2005 after a long career in public education. She served as a teacher and administrator for more than 30 years in the Kootenay Lake, Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii school districts.The board of education will be begin recruitment of a new superintendent of schools and CEO in the next few weeks.