Chief superintendent announces retirement

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This article was published 24/09/2019 (2432 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 38 years of service in public education, chief superintendent Brett Lough is announcing his retirement.

Lough announced to the St. James-Assiniboia School Division board of trustees that he’ll be retiring on Dec, 31. Lough was appointed as chief superintendent in 2015 and he’s spent his entire academic career within the St. James-Assiniboia School Division.

Lough said it’s time for someone new to step up and guide the division.

“It’s a combination of things. (I want) to spend more time with my family, I’ve devoted lots of time to this job, 60-hour work weeks, weekends and maybe it’s time for somebody new,” Lough said. “Somebody who can come into the system and give it a new look, new ideas. I’ve been in the division for 38 years, I think it’s time now to (give back) to the community in a different way, whatever that may be.”

Lough is not sure what retirement will look like for him, but he plans on spending more time with his wife, Wendy, and his two kids, Demi and Rhett. Lough said he might go back to coaching hockey, a passion of his that he had to give up for the sake of his job.

Lough began his career as a substitute teacher, jumping around various schools in the division, before becoming a physical education teacher at Brooklands School. He worked there for six years, before moving on to teach at Ness Junior High.

Afterwards, he served as vice-principal at several schools, including St. James Collegiate and École Golden Gate, before being appointed principal of Lincoln Middle School in 1997.

He joined the St. James-Assiniboia School Division board in 2001 as the assistant superintendent.

Lough is leaving at a delicate time for the school system, as the re-elected PC government is looking to possibly amalgamate school divisions.

Lough thinks that amalgamating the schools won’t work.

“On a personal note, I’m not sure that making school divisions bigger will be better for the local community. Having that local voice is really important, I’m not sure if there’s anything to be saved by making it bigger,” Lough said.