The Abbotsford Board of Education isn't shedding light on the departure of secretary treasurer Mark Lee, just a week after the approval of a budget that included plenty of cuts.

The board announced Tuesday that Lee is leaving his position with the district. He had been at his post for less than a year, starting at the district on Aug. 1, 2009.

This move comes on the heels of the district approving a budget that was put together by Lee and other district staff, which included teacher and support staff cuts, as well as funding cuts to programs. Lee's task during the process was to account for a $6.1 million deficit.

When asked if the whether Lee quit or was laid off, Dave Stephen, the district's manager of communications, said it was the board's policy not to disclose that information.

Board chairperson Cindy Schafer said the board was not surprised by Lee's departure, and also that if it was a firing it would be a board decision, but wouldn't confirm whether he was let go or quit.

Abbotsford District Teachers' Association president Rick Guenther said Lee has been "really good to work with."

Guenther said the announcement comes at a bad time for the ADTA because Lee was supposed to meet with the association next week to go over the budget, as teachers and programs will be, and have been, affected.

"We have an important meeting with him next week and we assumed he would be there," he said.

Guenther added that the school district doesn't include the ADTA in a lot of the dialogue surrounding important district decisions. He said Lee was always easy to get a hold of and "he was really apologetic when he wasn't able to release information."

The board has appointed deputy superintendent Kevin Godden to be acting secretary treasurer until a permanent replacement is found.

"The board wishes Dr. Lee well in his future endeavours, and expresses its appreciation to Mr. Godden for his willingness to once again assume the role of secretary treasurer on an interim basis," Abbotsford school district superintendent Julie MacRae, stated in a release.

The district hopes to have a permanent replacement within the next few weeks.

The Abbotsford-Mission Times tried to contact Lee through the Board of Education, but couldn't reach him in time for deadline.

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