The Rocky View School Division has announced Greg Luterbach will be taking on the position of superintendent of schools and CEO starting Sep. 1.
Luterbach is currently the superintendent of schools for British Columbia School District No. 20 Kootenay-Columbia but has worked for Rocky View in the past.
“I worked for Rocky View School back in 2000 to 2003 so when I saw the opportunity to come back I was excited. I’m certainly honoured and excited to be back a part of the Rocky View School’s team, it was a great experience before,” Luterbach explained.
Luterbach initially left the school division to follow his wife and her career in Toronto. The two then moved to BC to start a family and continue Luterbach’s career in education.
“I have about 10 to 12 years left to work and I’ve been superintendent here in my division for five years already, so staying and being superintendent for 17 years in the same place probably isn’t healthy for me nor the organization,” Luterbach said.
Luterbach is sad to be ending his time in his current division but is eager to take on a new challenge with Rocky View School Division.
“I was pretty selective when I was searching for a new position – Rocky View has a fantastic reputation around the province and thought it would be a great place to stay for 10 to 12 years hopefully and make a long-lasting impact. I love the challenge,” Luterbach explained.
According to Luterbach, this position will be different as the challenges facing Rocky View aren’t the same ones he’s faced with Kootenay-Columbia.
“BC has been facing declining in involvement across the entire province so going to a school district that’s bursting at the seams is a challenge but an exciting different one,” Luterbach said.
Luterbach considers his past with Rocky View an asset and plans to use that as he adjusts to his new role.
“I’ve been every where in the Rocky View School Division already, I know lots of the staff. But when I left in 2003 it served about 13,500 students and now we’re pushing 25,000 students. So lots of opportunity for me when I go back and while I know the physical places and some of the people, a big part of my beginning will be to sit and listen and learn,” Luterbach explained.
He will prioritize getting to know his board, staff, students and parents as he settles into his new position. He explained the division is partway through a four-year plan and he intends to focus on the priorities and goals set by the board.
“Rocky View Schools is a high-performing division. It’s doing really well, it has dedicated trustees and staff who put students first – and that’s also why it’s a great match for me because those are things that matter to me as well,” Luterbach said.
“When we look at our goals we need to make sure that our learners are successful and engaged and supported – that’s my marching orders. I’m a big believer in supporting our staff and we’ll do good for kids when we do good for our staff. That’s who I am as an individual and I’ll bring that with me to Rocky View,” Luterbach said.
Luterbach and his family are still looking into which community in the area they will call home when he makes the job transition this fall.
