Luft Retires, New Principal Takes Reins

Curt Luft, a fixture at Westlake High School for nearly two decades and principal for the last 10, will retire today.

He will be replaced by Ron Lipari, 47, principal at Burbank High School for the last three years.

“It’s hectic right now,” Lipari said Tuesday, as he tied up loose ends in preparation for his move.

Confronting Lipari when he arrives at Westlake is the need to hire a new assistant principal, three teachers and a couple of counselors. Before leaving, he had to finish personnel evaluations, field calls from parents and try to return 10 voicemail messages left while he was out handling other errands.

“That was just this morning,” Lipari said. “This afternoon it’s going to be just as hectic.”

Both schools have about 2,000 students, which makes the transition easier, Lipari said. Along with his wife and three children, Lipari plans to move to the Conejo Valley as soon as they sell their house in Burbank.

“I’ll have to commute for a little while, but we’ve got our house for sale right now,” he said. “We hope to make this happen in the next month and a half or so.”