Former Palliser School Division Superintendent Kevin Gordon Gietz. (Supplied by Palliser School Division)

By David Opinko

Province suspends license of former Palliser School Division Superintendent

Feb 14, 2020 | 11:19 AM

COALDALE, AB – The Ministry of Education is taking action against a former superintendent of a southern Albertan school division.

LNN reported in February 2017 that Kevin Gordon Gietz was terminated from his position amidst numerous allegations of bullying and unwelcome physical contact towards female employees.

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange was part of a hearing in November 2019 that reviewed the allegations against Geitz.

The Minister wrote to him in a letter dated January 20, 2020, saying that Hearing Committee “found your conduct to be unprofessional and recommended that I suspend your Permanent Professional Certificate until June 30, 2020 and place conditions on your suspension that require you to complete coursework approved by the Registrar in anger management and respectful conduct in the workplace by June 30, 2020.”

After reviewing the findings of the Hearing Committee, LaGrange has agreed that his actions warrant the suspension of his professional license, pursuant to Section 33 of the Practice Review of Teachers and Teacher Leaders Regulation.

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The suspension takes effect immediately and will be in place until June 30, 2020.

Geitz will be required to complete a course in anger management and a course in respectful conduct in the workplace as requirements for lifting the suspension.

If he cannot provide satisfactory proof that he has completed both courses by July 7, 2020, his Permanent Professional Certificate will be canceled as of July 14, 2020.

Following the allegations, a report came back to the Palliser School Division with 21 recommendations for making the school division a safer place for staff, students, and the public. More details here.

Colin Aitchison, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Education, has confirmed that the letter from Minister LaGrange to Kevin Gordon Gietz is legitimate, but since this is a matter regarding personnel, they will not be providing any further comments at this time.