Silja Kavilo will become Kouvola's new education services manager next year. The city's education and teaching board selected her for the position on Wednesday. Kavilo currently serves as wellbeing services area director in Rautavaara municipality. She also works as principal for the area's comprehensive and upper secondary schools. Additionally, she serves as leadership developer at consulting firm LMI Finland.
The education services manager position became available in August when Johanna Lindstedt moved to become principal at Sarkola School. Maija Saksa has been acting as interim education services manager since that time.
Thirty-five applications were submitted for the position by the deadline. Two applications were later withdrawn. Six candidates received interview invitations.
This leadership role involves directing basic education services and youth services in Kouvola. The manager collaborates closely with early childhood education providers and secondary education institutions. They also supervise principals of basic education schools and act as deputy to the director of education.
The position carries a monthly salary of 6,500 euros. It includes a six-month probationary period. The board selected Sanna Honkonen as backup candidate for the role.
Kouvola's education department faces the ongoing challenge of maintaining quality services amid Finland's broader municipal funding pressures. The new manager will need to balance educational quality with budgetary constraints common across Finnish municipalities.