SD73 Superintendent Mike McKay (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

SD73 NEW HIRES

McKay, Cull set to help guide SD73 in the hunt for new leadership

Jul 15, 2025 | 4:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Following the sudden departure of Rhonda Nixon earlier this month, the SD73 board has hired Mike McKay to serve as interim superintendent of schools, and assist in the hiring process for his permanent replacement. McKay will be under contract with the district until the December 31.

Interim Secretary Treasurer Harold Cull will work in a similar capacity, as the district hopes to hire for both positions before the end of the year.

In some ways, McKay has been known as a fixer for school districts in distress. Previously being appointed by the ministry to help get things back on track throughout British Columbia. That however is not the exact scenario in Kamloops, as he was solely appointed by the board.

“The experiences are all good because what they have taught me is sometimes with all of the noise and all of the layers of complexity we need to kind of shift those a little bit away so we are talking about our core mandate,” said McKay. “And the core mandate is kids learning, kids life chances.”

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Back to school across B.C.

1h ago

Question of the Week

Did you vacation closer to home this summer?

21h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Fish and Hunt More Sustenance

21h ago

Cull was brought in back in January as an advisor, now ascending to the secretary treasurer position for the next six months.

“Been a tough year fiscally, I think the board has done a great job of providing the opportunities and having to make some real tough decision to be able to get us to the place we are right now,” said Cull. “Which is from a financial perspective, much more stable than it was or has been for the last couple of years.”

In addition to leading the district, McKay has been tasked with helping head the search for the next superintendent and secretary treasurer for Kamloops-Thompson.

“The plan is to get the school year started and to reach out both internally, for people inside the system that may wish to express their interest, and also externally across the country,” outlined McKay. “So the plan is for that to go out in September, with hopefully recruitment decisions made before the end of October.”

While in charge for six months, McKay highlighted the importance of ensuring that every decision he makes is sustainable, not wanting to put the incoming superintendent in a bad spot.

“We are not going to be reaching in and saying we need more, we may be reallocating some resources in the short term, but nothing so dramatic that a new superintendent and secretary treasurer come in and say we need to reverse field here. These guys took us north by northeast, we need to go south by southwest, that is not a good plan,” added McKay.

Overall, McKay said all of his choices will be anchored upon the outcomes of students and families.

“The main thing is this business, this enterprise, this moral commitment, is for children to feel, and families to feel that their kids are coming to school and being well supported, well served and they have hope and optimism for the future,” said McKay.