RIVERSIDE
Ken Crawford, Superintendent of Highland Community Schools and WACO Schools, announced Monday he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Crawford announced his …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had a login with the previous version of our e-edition, then you already have a login here. You just need to reset your password by clicking here.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
RIVERSIDE
Ken Crawford, Superintendent of Highland Community Schools and WACO Schools, announced Monday he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Crawford announced his intention during the Highland School Board’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday. The Board approved his early retirement and resignation.
“I’m very appreciative to the community and the staff and the Board,” Crawford told The News. “Everyone has that moment in time … and it’s time.”
Crawford, 60, who lives in the Highland Schools district with his wife Dawn, has overseen a year in which Highland moved to a four-day school week and the passage of a $15 million bond referendum for facilities improvements and additions although the November vote is being challenged.
A special meeting was held Wednesday so that a recruiting search firm can be hired to begin the process of finding a replacement for Crawford.
“We’ve got a good board for that right now,” High School/Middle School Principal Angela Hazelett said. “I have faith and hope in the future.”
In a formal thank you letter to the School Board, Crawford stated, in part: “I would like to thank the School Board for their support these past seven years. No job isn’t without a few up-and-down moments but there are several events that I feel were special when working with the board, the administration, the staff, and students. No one can achieve goals without the help and work of others. I hope everyone believes I know the value of teamwork and feel that is the best way to operate any organization or team. I feel very blessed to have worked with individuals that value teamwork and putting students first.”
Board President Nate Robinson and Board Vice President Dan Ruth were among those who thanked Crawford for his service.
"It's been a ride," Robinson said.
Crawford, a 1983 Washington High School graduate who went on to obtain collegiate degrees at Central College in Pella and Drake University in Des Moines, has split his superintendent duties at Highland and WACO, but spends most of the week at Highland.
“I enjoyed the people. I enjoyed the interactions,” he said.
Crawford’s announcement came on a day when Sue Rich, the outgoing Board Secretary and Financial Officer, attended her last meeting. Autumn Moyer is the new Board Secretary and Financial Officer.
“It’ll be different,” Rich said of her retirement from Monday night meetings, “but I’m looking forward to it.”
Bond Timeline
While Highland Schools waits on the final word from Washington County Auditor Daniel Widmer of a $15 million bond referendum vote and subsequent challenge, the district is moving ahead with plans for the bond bids and facilities projects.
Tim Oswald of Piper Sandler, a Des Moines-based firm specializing in public finance, presented a timeline to the Board that includes pre-tax levy rates in March, a final levy rate after the 2025-26 budget is finalized, and a bidding process that secures the bond investments.
The district will have three years to spend the funds on the projects, Oswald said, beginning in June 2025.
Oswald said Highland Schools has one of the highest financial ratings among school districts in the state, which should help the bidding process.
Board Action
The Board approved SBRC application fund requests of nearly $200,000 for Open Enrollment Out and $6,573 for EL instruction.
The Board approved a policy regarding foreign exchange students.
The Board approved a number of policy updates.
The Board approved the appointments of Patti Britt, Elementary Associate, and Jacob Allen, co-Speech Coach.
Next Meeting
The board will hold its next formal meeting at 5 p.m. January 13.