LVJUSD Superintendent Chris Van Schaack To Retire In June

LIVERMORE, CA — Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Superintendent Chris Van Schaack will retire in June after 30 years with the district, LVJUSD announced Friday.

“I’ll forever cherish the 30 years I’ve spent working alongside so many amazing educators and simply, good people. They have been a second family for nearly all my adult life,” Van Schaack said in a statement. “The best part about being here so long has been watching many of my former students return to our community and build amazing families and careers themselves. Knowing that I may have played some small role in their success is incredibly satisfying. Many now have children in our schools, and support us as parents, which is part of what makes Livermore so special.”

Van Schaack began his career with LVJUSD in 1994 as a high school teacher and baseball coach, according to the district. He served as vice principal and principal of Granada High School for a total of 11 years, interrupted by one year as principal of Arroyo Seco Elementary School. In 2010, he was appointed assistant superintendent of administrative services, and in 2017, he was named deputy superintendent. He became superintendent in August 2022.

His leadership was marked by evidence-based academic growth, expansion of inclusivity programs, transparency of student outcomes, and more.

“Chris has been such an integral part of our district for so long that it’s hard to imagine him not being here,” LVJUSD Board President Emily Prusso said in a statement. “He has navigated us through so much, including challenges like the pandemic and state budget shortfalls, and has put us on a great path for continued success. We will greatly miss his wisdom and steady leadership, but respect and support his desire to enjoy other aspects of his life in retirement.”

The LVJUSD Board of Education is beginning the planning process to find a new superintendent. Once determined, a timeline will be shared on the district website that will allow stakeholders to share their thoughts on what they want from a new superintendent. The board said it hopes to have new leadership in place by around July 1.

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