After 31 years working in education, Chinook School Division Director of Education Liam Choo-Foo announced that next fall would be the first in 48 years he doesn't go back to school in some manner.

Choo-Foo, who is on a one-year secondment with the Ministry of Education as chief project officer until April, will stay on with the school division until the end of the school year when he retires.

"It's kind of a weird thought that I'm not coming to Chinook anymore," Choo-Foo. "As I mentioned, 48 years in the fall I was off to school in some way, shape, or form, and this fall I won't be. It's going to be quite different, but I think it is time and I'm at peace with my decision."

An early forage from the classroom into administration was something Choo-Foo said he might have waited a little longer to do, but in his time he became close with a number of people - including those on the school division board in attendance yesterday afternoon.

"I have met some of the greatest, most influential people in that time, and they've shaped who I've become as a coach, a parent, a husband, and a leader," said Choo-Foo during his speech.

School Division Chair and Trustee Shane Andrus said Choo-Foo is helping with their transition (the school division isn't commenting on a replacement yet), and that Choo-Foo "leaves a very unique fingerprint on Chinook School Division, and on each of [their] hearts."

Choo-Foo isn't sure what'll come next, but hopes to do something in the way of giving advice - whether through consulting or something else. He joked that whatever it is, it'd be nice if it was a Tuesday-to-Thursday gig with a nice, long weekend.