Lethbridge School District No. 51 will have a new superintendent for the next school year.
The district’s current superintendent, Barry Litun, announced he will be retiring at the end of the 2012-13 school year, at the board of trustees meeting on Wednesday.

“Barry has been a tremendous asset to Lethbridge School District No.51 for the past seven years,” said Mich Forster, board chair. “His energy, enthusiasm and work-ethic have been amazing. It has been a pleasure working with him and he will be missed.”
Litun has served as superintendent of district since 2006, after serving three years as the deputy Superintendent of Red Deer Public Schools. His 35-year career began in 1978 as a physical education and math teacher at Lamont Junior/Senior High School. In 1985, Litun moved into administration, working as a vice-principal and principal at high schools in Lamont, Whitecourt and Red Deer.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve as superintendent for Lethbridge School District, and have appreciated the trust and support that trustees on all three boards that I have worked with have given me,” said Litun. “I will always treasure the years I have been part of District 51.”
During Litun’s seven-year term as superintendent, he has seen significant growth in student population, resulting in the construction and opening of Chinook High School, the modernization of Gilbert Paterson Middle School and the acquisition of more than two dozen modular classrooms, the integration of modern technologies to ensure every student in the district has equitable access to resources and the expansion of early education and other programs to support students.
Litun said two primary mandates established when he was hired, to increase the opportunities for staff to collaborate in and between schools, and to more fully engage community partners in order to acknowledge and highlight the achievements of students and staff, have been realized. He credits his success to the dedication of staff.
“The strength of our district, the successes of our students and the support we receive from the community is a result of combined expertise and dedication of our staff. Thank you to all district staff members for their unwavering commitment to our students,” Litun said. “Thank you as well to my wife, Gail, for her constant support throughout my career.”
Litun’s last day with the District will be Aug. 31, 2013.