Members of the Rocky View Schools (RVS) Board of Trustees have approved an extension of Superintendent Greg Luterbach’s contract for another five years, with his new contract beginning in September 2021.
Navigating the ever-changing climate – and eventual aftermath – of the COVID-19 pandemic will be Luterbach’s priority as he enters his upcoming term with Rocky View County’s public school district.
“Sadly, along my career, I’ve had to deal with some challenging situations, but nothing that has gone on this long. Nor (anything) with the kind of unprecedented nature (to) it,” Luterbach said.
Having to act quickly to shift both staff and students online last year was both necessary and challenging, according to Luterbach.
“Personally, it’s been challenging, but because I’ve got a great team around me, we’re able to get through it together,” he said. “There are all these different facets to how we support schools and how we support students.
“I’m proud just to be one of the members on that team.”
Fiona Gilbert, chair of RVS' Board of Trustees, said that the board is pleased to reappoint Luterbach as superintendent.
"The board applauds Greg on his leadership over the past five years and is delighted that he has agreed to stay with RVS for the next five years," she said in an email.
"Greg is an exceptionally strong leader and he continues to show his dedication to RVS in big and small ways. [His] commitment to RVS' students, staff, families, and communities is evident in every decision he makes, and his servant leadership style serves RVS students and staff well."
Luterbach, who took over RVS’ top administrative position in 2016 after serving School District 20 in the Kootenay-Columbia region of British Columbia for five years, added he is honoured to continue serving families and communities within the district. Prior to his role in B.C., Luterbach served as RVS’ supervisor of technology services from 2000 to 2003.
“It's a fantastic role – and I have such a great team around me,” he said, of being the superintendent.
According to Luterbach, as he prepares for his next stint as superintendent, he is most looking forward to being able to work with trustees and staff to mature and foster the supports that were previously in place to help students achieve their full potential.
“Students are out there leading change in their community and in the world,” he said.
“I really want us to be able to make sure that kids have every opportunity available to them to make that difference and achieve their potential, and enjoy learning.”
As a former teacher, Luterbach said he prefers a hands-on approach to education, adding the highlight of his job is when he can spend time in the classroom alongside students.
In a division that spans from Beiseker to Bragg Creek and from Cochrane to Indus, Luterbach said the widespread nature of RVS' jurisdiction means each school has a diverse community of students and staff.
“I think the neat part of my role is that I get to see what education looks like in 53 different buildings,” he said.
“It’s amazing to see (how) every school has its own culture, identity, and vibration. It’s pretty neat when you walk into (each school) and you can really see the passions of their community and the staff and the kids, from what’s up on the walls in the classroom, to how they start their day, it’s all unique.”
When he can visit a classroom, Luterbach said he is amazed by the wide-eyed expressions on the students’ faces when they ask him what a superintendent does for a living.
“I tell them that I work for them,” he said. “And then some little kid will raise his hand and say, ‘Does that mean that you could get us pizza?’ and we all laugh, and I say, ‘No, not today.’”
As per the trustees’ decision to extend Luterbach’s contract, RVS will submit a tentative contract along with supporting documents to the Alberta Minister of Education for approval, as is the process defined by Alberta Education.
