On January 26, 2006, the Clark County School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted in favor of Interim Superintendent Dr. Walt Rulffes (pronounced roll-fess) as the district’s 10th superintendent. Though the committee had been divided in its discussions, the vote in favor of Rulffes was unanimous.
Rulffes holds an MBA in Business and Finance and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University. As interim superintendent of CCSD since 2005, he has pushed through full-day kindergarten and developed English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to benefit area youth and parents, and also is heavily involved in county and state legislation concerning educational plans and funding. He said he has many plans for the district, but, "The focus must always remain on the students."
Rulffes’ experience has led him to believe that his position as superintendent is only one piece of the puzzle that is the Clark County School District. He hopes to bring the district more into focus and be a part of much-needed solutions to the problems the district faces.
The superintendent’s ties to helping youth have their roots in tragedy. "After losing a son," he said, "I devoted my whole life to making young people successful in life and helping to provide the means to achieve their success." Rulffes, now 65, father of two and grandfather of four, sees his new position as a simple extension of that commitment.
As Ruth Johnson, Board of Trustees president, said after the vote to make Rulffes CCSD superintendent, "He is the man who will lead the Clark County School District into the future, and he will carry the responsibilities that this board will continue to give him." It is a future Rulffes embraces.
Born: Long Island, New York
Raised: On a small ranch in Washington State
Childhood Dreams: Cowboy, Professional Baseball Player
Favorite Sport: Baseball, Equestrian Events
Favorite Book: To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
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