The days are winding down for Central Okanagan School District superintendent Kevin Kaardal. Technically, his last day as superintendent is Friday, June 27 but he'll be easing himself into retirement after 10 years at the helm of School District 23. "I'm incredibly happy to be retiring. It's been 10 years here, 40 years in education," he said. "I am awed by the amount of change that has occurred since 2015, and the results we have achieved collectively," Kaardal said in a letter to staff and students. School District 23 has grown by leaps and bounds under Kaardal's watch. "We're the largest we've ever been. With 25,700 kids, we've been adding, essentially, in terms of population a small elementary school to middle school, every year. "We've had $330 million in capital, working in the district, that's a lot of projects, and I expect more to come," Kaardal said. The SD 23 budget now sits at over $380 million with 4,500 staff. Kaardal says his successor Jon Rever, should expect more change. "It's the only constant. There's been so much, and there'll be more to come," said Kaardal. He points to artificial intelligence and how that will impact the classroom and the workplace. "It's a tool we have to be able to support young people in using it, because it is going to be an expectation of many employers that they take advantage of the benefits it can bring for certain tasks." When asked what he is most proud of, Kaardal points to guiding the district through a worldwide pandemic, while keeping most kids in class. "We were open after the first two-and-a-half months to 96% and 98% attendance. And I think it kept kids safe because they were connected, and it helped the community's economy too because people could go to work if work was available," said Kaardal. Through pandemics wildfires, and floods Kaardal says his colleagues kept things going. "I'm really proud of how resilient, and I'm going to say heroic, the staff were here," he added. Kaardal also highlighted the addition of two middle schools and the ongoing construction of a new secondary school in West Kelowna, plus numerous additions to schools. "We also added the new Board of Education Learning Centre. There has never been more capital work going on at one time in district history," Kaardal said. Kaardal says he plans to continue to consult and do some writing, in between travelling and playing golf. He will always keep an eye on how his students are doing. "Social media has been a huge change, and I don't think that's a positive necessarily, if someone's bullying or something, it can get up to the speed of light. So that isn't good," Kaardal said. The complexity of different types of learners has grown and diversified in the school district, but Kaardal points to results. In the past three years, SD 23 achieved the best learning results in the district's history, above provincial and national norms, with a graduation rate of 96%, and an Indigenous graduation rate at a high of 86%. "I want to express my gratitude to you all for your tremendous work and outstanding accomplishments over the years. It has been an honour to serve. Keep inspiring hope and helping our young people flourish," said Kaardal.