New LA Supt. Feels Lion Pride

Ryan Bruns is happy to be wearing maroon and gold once again. As a former Burke Bulldog, whose school colors were also maroon and gold, Bruns is feeling right at home in the Langford Area School District. This is fortunate since he is just beginning his tenure as the district’s new superintendent.

Bruns’s journey to Langford is a winding road with many stops. After spending his formative years in Burke, he sought his undergraduate degree at Dakota Wesleyan University where he was a college athlete. After graduating, he spent time in the Platte-Geddes School District teaching high school English.

Seeking to further his own education and open up doors, Bruns pursued his Masters and Specialist degrees from the University of South Dakota. He worked as a principal in Scotland, SD and then started working his way north. Most recently, Bruns spent eight years as a superintendent in the Northwestern School District. He is also an adjunct professor, teaching future principals, through SDSU.

Then, not too long ago, Bruns said he and his wife were thinking about making a change. “My wife and I were committed to raising our five kids in a small community,” he explained. He added that his wife Alicia graduated from Hecla and has family in that area, so when the Langford Area superintendent job came open, it was more than appealing.

“Langford has a good reputation,” Bruns says. When he was offered the job, the Bruns family was happy to start a new adventure. “It really was a family decision. Faith led us to Langford.”

Bruns took over the reins in Langford at the beginning of July. He says this summer has been a whirlwind but he has already hit the ground running. “Every school is a little different, but at this point, I have a lot of experience behind me,” he noted. “Langford is experiencing change at all levels from new administration to the school board members, but we are all excited to be here.”

He will also be acting as the athletic director for the district. “It’s my first time doing that and there’s a big learning curve, but I’m finding my way.”

When he talks about what he will bring to the district, Bruns says he has a good background in school finance as well as strategic planning. “I have my eye on the future of this district. I know how to keep a school solvent and we have a good future ahead of us.”

As he anticipates the upcoming school year, Bruns says he is excited about various things on the horizon. He has already worked to start Premier Online Academy, a free online public school for kindergarten through 12th grade students. This school is part of the LA School District. “We use certified South Dakota teachers. This is really the first of its kind.”

He is also happy to see the school’s ag and FFA programs get up and running. “We expect great things with this program,” Bruns said. “It will really provide students with some great opportunities.”

Outside the school walls, Bruns stays plenty busy. As a dad of five, he says that the family is always going here and there for activities. The Bruns family is also active in their church. He enjoys podcasts and reading when he has the time.

Bruns has also spent 24 years as an Army Reservist and is an Iraq War veteran. Though he is planning to retire from the Reserves soon, he doesn’t seem likely to slow down at all, especially as a new school year dawns.

With the school bell soon to ring, the new superintendent says he looks forward to his family integrating into the culture of Langford and the district as a whole. “I want to focus on Lion Pride. I have faith in our district, students and staff. I have a firm resolve that this district will be here for a long time, and I look forward to leading it.”