A familiar face in local education is the new superintendent of the Richmond School District.

The Richmond school board has appointed Monica Pamer to replace outgoing superintendent Bruce Beairsto, who is retiring but will remain in the job through Dec. 31. Pamer was introduced at last Monday's public board meeting.

After an exhaustive, nation-wide search to replace Beairsto, which drew 13 applications, trustees unanimously selected Pamer who has worked in the school district since 1975 and became associate superintendent in 2003. She was seconded by the provincial Education Ministry for three years as lead director of Achievement and Assessment before returning to the Richmond School District. Pamer previously worked as a teacher and was a vice-principal and principal at the secondary school level. She said her varied background has provided her with the unique opportunity to look at the district from several different vantage points, enhancing her understanding of how things work.

"It's very exciting," Pamer said. "Of course these are some interesting times (but I'm) looking forward to working with people I really respect, and that I've worked with for a number of years, as we meet a series of new challenges."

She said one the most immediate challenges facing the district centers around funding, and ensuring that Richmond schools are able to continue to offer the best possible services to its students. She said that will require "we put our heads together" but added every challenge also presents an opportunity.

A self-described people person, Pamer said she enjoys talking and listening to others' perspectives. She also considers herself to have good problem-solving skills.

"I see a good district here that I think we can make even better," Pamer said. "We need to make sure we keep focus on the students who are at the core of what we do. Sometimes other forces can exert pressures that can make you easily forget that."

Richmond School District chair Linda McPhail calls Pamer "an excellent education leader."

"Her history with Richmond is a good thing to have, and her relationship with people in the district is a bonus," McPhail said. "But we looked for the best candidate. We're in tough times right now and were looking for someone with the leadership ability to take us into the future."