Weber School District picks internal candidate, Gina Butters, to lead system
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- Gina Butters, right, poses with Jeff Stephens, the superintendent of the Weber School District, on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Butters will take over from Stephens as superintendent on July 1, 2022.
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- Gina Butters stands before the board of education after being announced as the new superintendent for the Weber School District on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. She’ll take over from the retiring Jeff Stephens on July 1, 2022.
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- Gina Butters will take over as superintendent of the Weber School District from the retiring Jeff Stephens on July 1, 2022. School officials announced her selection on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
WASHINGTON TERRACE — Weber School District officials have picked an internal candidate to serve as the system’s next superintendent — Gina Butters, who has been serving as the district’s executive director of secondary education.
She’ll officially take over from the retiring Jeff Stephens on July 1.
“Our purpose is much bigger than we can possibly imagine,” she said after the announcement of her selection at Wednesday’s meeting of the Weber School Board. “Our work is sacred. We must get our kids ready for the world they are going to face. The world needs us to show up for our kids and one another to a greater degree.”
Butters, who will be the district’s first female superintendent, has worked in the district for 30 years and, before that, matriculated in the system as a student. She graduated from Bonneville High School in Washington Terrace.
Butters “is a focused, optimistic leader centered in the whole-child approach to education,” the district said in a statement. “She is a strong communicator, experienced educator and passionate advocate for all children. Her student-first philosophy truly inspires confidence and trust, and Weber School District will be in wonderful hands moving forward.”
The Weber School Board selected Butters aided by a 24-member citizen’s committee. In addressing the body after the announcement of her selection, she praised Stephens’ service and noted the challenges in education over the past two years brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But we have gained new levels of empathy for and understanding about one another. I’m fully committed and confident that we will move forward together with hope, strength and resolve,” she said.
Butters started her career in the district as a teacher and later served as principal at North Ogden Junior High School and Roy High School, among other postings. She became director of student services in 2016 before becoming head of secondary education in 2019.
Stephens announced his retirement plans last December. He’ll have served 11 years as superintendent. Following his announcement, school officials conducted a nationwide search for a replacement, drawing the interest of 10 qualified candidates.
Aside from her work in the school district, Butters has also served on many community groups and task forces. She’s also garnered many professional honors, including the Huntsman Excellence in Education Award.
