Rocky View Schools (RVS) Superintendent Greg Bass will have his last day with the district on May 31 after which he will make to move to Edmonton to become the new deputy minister of Alberta Education.
“It is with mixed emotions,” said Bass of his departure from RVS. “I’ve had an outstanding six-and-a-half years here.”
“I’m leaving here and I know that, overall, education has shifted somewhat for the better in this jurisdiction,” he added.
Bass has been in the role of RVS superintendent of schools since January 2007 and has contributed on the provincial level as a director for the College of Alberta School Superintendents from 2011 to 2013.
“I’m thrilled,” said RVS Board Chair Bruce Pettigrew, “not that he’s leaving but that it’s great news for him and good news for Alberta Education.”
Pettigrew said under the leadership of Bass, RVS district has made strides in 21st Century Learning and building the system to a capacity that they could better move staff into new positions when another staff member leaves.
“I just feel very fortunate and honoured to have this opportunity to do this work,” Bass said of the new position.
Pettigrew speculated the Board will take their time to find a replacement for Bass.
“Greg’s are big shoes to fill,” he said.
The board has a few options available to them to find an acting superintendent of schools said Pettigrew.
The trustees could appoint someone internally to act as superintendent or they could look for an experienced retired superintendent to fill the role until a permanent replacement is found.
“I expect the board will look for someone internally,” Pettigrew said. “We will have someone at the next meeting on June 1,” he assures stakeholders.
With elections RVS board of trustees elections coming up in October, Pettigrew said it will be up to the new board to find a permanent replacement.
“That will be one of their first big decisions,” said the chair, who added he will not seek re-election for a third term.
He said he does not see the direction of the district changing with a new superintendent.
“The board won’t be looking for someone to come in and radically shift direction,” he said.
Bass said he is already an Oilers fan so he will get along just fine in Edmonton.
