Mid-Prairie School Board announces superintendent finalists

By Molly Roberts
Posted 4/28/22

On Wednesday, April 27, the Mid-Prairie School Board announced three finalists in the search for the district’s new superintendent: Matt Leeman, associate superintendent at Clear Creek Amana; …

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Mid-Prairie School Board announces superintendent finalists

Posted

On Wednesday, April 27, the Mid-Prairie School Board announced three finalists in the search for the district’s new superintendent: Matt Leeman, associate superintendent at Clear Creek Amana; Brian Stone, high school principal for Fairfield Community School District; and Zach Wigle, high school principal for Solon Community School District.

Previously, the Mid-Prairie School Board, working with Trent Grundmeyer of Grundmeyer Leader Services, identified that personality and community relations would be more important than the professional skills of prospective superintendents. Grundmeyer presented the results of the stakeholder survey taken by community members, parents and teachers, which reflected this same preference for personality; 58% of respondents said the most important thing for the new superintendent is to be approachable.

Either Leeman, Stone or Wigle will replace a much-loved superintendent in Mark Schneider, who as served the district for 34 years as a student teacher, elementary principal, and 21 years as superintendent.

“We praise Mark for how he is in the community and how approachable,” said board member Gabby Frederick at the March 28 school board meeting. “I think a lot of people in the community are used to that and if we don’t have [the involvement and approachability], we’re going to see that. If we’re not going to see the superintendent at ball games and plays, it’s going to be a shock for the community.”

Several board members, including President Jeremy Pickard, discussed and agreed that they would still be very interested in candidates without superintendent experience; Schneider himself was a first-time superintendent with the Mid-Prairie District.

Grundmeyer agreed.

“We have to have the right person before we even start to look at the professional skills,” he said.

As a next step, on May 9, each of the three candidates will meet with the board and stakeholder interview teams, which consist of several community members; principals, teachers and staff from Mid-Prairie; parents; and students.

Kalona City Administrator and Wellman City Administrator Kelly Litwiller were asked to participate in the stakeholder interviews. The pair will give each of the three candidates a driving tour of the town, lasting about an hour and fifteen minutes. Candidates may also bring their spouse and/or children.

“We get to talk about our communities and answer questions with them individually,” Schlabaugh said. “I like the process; I like what they’re doing.”

After the stakeholder groups interview the candidates, the board will meet to discuss the interviews and hopes to reach a final decision soon after the formal interviews.

The next superintendent will start July 1, 2022.