Abbotsford School District Appoints New Secretary-Treasurer Amid Changes

The Abbotsford School District has appointed a new secretary-treasurer for the third time in less than a year. On December 31, 2025, Peter Neale will conclude his tenure, which began on August 1, 2025. While the specific reasons for his departure remain undisclosed, a memo obtained by The News indicates that the decision was made by mutual agreement.

Neale brought over two decades of experience in school district finance and administration, primarily in Alberta and British Columbia. His previous role as secretary-treasurer at Buffalo Trail Public Schools in Wainwright, Alberta, was preceded by positions with various school districts, including Campbell River, Peace River, and Grande Prairie. Upon his hiring, Nathan Ngieng, the district superintendent, commended Neale’s extensive background, stating, “Peter’s depth of experience and thoughtful leadership will be a tremendous asset to our district.”

In light of Neale’s departure, Monica Schulte has been appointed as the new secretary-treasurer. Schulte has served as the assistant secretary-treasurer since August 2022. A hiring announcement highlighted her technical expertise and commitment to relationship-building and continuous improvement. “Her contributions to the district’s strategic vision have made a significant impact,” the statement read.

Replacing Schulte as assistant secretary-treasurer will be Adrianne Harley, who has been with the Abbotsford School District since 2012. Harley’s previous roles included managing accounting operations and maintaining the district’s internal financial control systems. Both Schulte and Harley will officially begin their new positions on January 1, 2026.

In other staffing updates within the district, Pete Nuij has been appointed as deputy superintendent. Nuij transitioned from the role of assistant superintendent, which he filled for the past six months after being hired in June. His extensive background in public education includes serving as a teacher, school administrator, and principal. Most recently, he worked as associate superintendent of education services with the Vancouver School Board.

The Abbotsford School District has experienced significant changes in its leadership structure within a short time frame. Neale succeeded Ray Velestuk, who had a longstanding tenure of 15 years before departing for the Surrey School District. Velestuk’s exit marked a notable transition, followed by the interim leadership of Ngieng from April to August 2025. Additionally, Jay Pankratz separated from the district in February, further contributing to the recent turnover in key administrative roles.

As the Abbotsford School District continues to evolve, the focus remains on maintaining effective leadership to support its strategic priorities and navigate the challenges of growth and change in the education sector.