The Langley School Board kept it in the family, naming acting superintendent Suzanne Hoffman as its new superintendent at the beginning of 2012.

Hoffman was appointed acting superintendent in January after the school board fired Cheryle Beaumont.

The district announced Beaumont's departure in January, saying it was a mutual agreement. Beaumont was named a consultant with a position that lasted until the end of January.

The board elected in November 2011 was divided, with Trustees Alison McVeigh and Rod Ross critical of how the matter was handled, and voicing support for Beaumont.

Trustees had held an in-camera meeting in which they voted 5-2 to let her go.

McVeigh disclosed what happened at the in-camera meeting, and was censured by the board.

"Cheryle Beaumont was terminated by five trustees who are part of a secret slate," she said back in January, adding that the "slate" was "backed by unions."

McVeigh said she felt she had to let the public know exactly what happened, because this has resulted in the "firing of one of the best superintendents in the province of B.C., who has an outstanding achievement record."

She added that Beaumont would never walk away from a job but would wrap up duties and help with transitions.

Beaumont was the most senior staff member when the district's financial problems came to light, but during the firing's aftermath, McVeigh said the independent audit showed that the matter "could not be placed at her feet."

The Langley Teachers' Association started calling publicly for Beaumont's resignation in 2009 after the district's financial problems came to light.

McVeigh said in January that she struggled with her decision to speak out about an in camera vote on a personnel matter, but "I believe the public has a right to know the truth."

A Facebook page set up by supporters back at the time has, as of December 2012, a total of 16 likes and two comments.

Despite the controversies of recent years over the district amassing a $13.75 million deficit, infighting, the need to hire the B.C.

Auditor General, and other issues, some 15 people expressed interest in filling the job and five applicants were shortlisted.

They faced interviews with a panel made up of staff and community stakeholders, followed by interviews with the board.

The hiring process was overseen by secretary-treasurer David Green and assistant superintendent Jennifer Canas with the assistance of Make a Future, an educational employment organization that the district hired.

In late February came the dollar amount for what Beaumont's firing cost.

The district was paying $440,553 severance for former superindent Cheryle Beaumont and former assistant secretary-treasurer Tally Bains.

In addition to the severance, the district spent about $62,000 to find a new superintendent.

hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com