Honoring Our Principals During National Principals Month

October marks National Principals Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated leaders who work diligently to shape the culture, climate, and success of our schools. As I reflect on my years in education, I’m reminded of the exceptional men and women I’ve had the privilege to work alongside. Each one brings a unique leadership style, but they share a common trait: a deep care for students, a commitment to staff, and a passion for supporting education.

I’m proud to work with the principals in our district. They are committed leaders who often sacrifice their personal time for the betterment of our students, staff, and community. Their leadership is valued and is immeasurable.

Please join me in celebrating:

• Jordan Newberg, Elementary Principal
• Luke Buttry, Middle School Principal
• Tyson Ratliff, High School Principal
• Denise Green, Principal of IGNITE Online and Personalized Learning School

To Mr. Newberg, Mr. Buttry, Mr. Ratliff, and Mrs. Green—thank you for your leadership. You make a difference. I applaud you and appreciate you.

It Takes All of Us

In our district, every student deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported. Bullying and harassment have no place in our schools, and we remain committed to fostering a positive school culture and climate.

To strengthen these efforts, we’ve welcomed Chris Chamberlain as our new Peer Relations and Bullying Prevention Coordinator. Mr. Chamberlain is currently teaching a middle school rotation class focused on peer relations and bullying prevention, coordinating events across the district, and investigating complaints in a fair-minded manner. He has also partnered with M.A.Y. Mentoring to organize several events this month, including an upcoming student assembly featuring Terrence Talley, a nationally recognized speaker.

We are excited about the momentum building around this work—but it cannot be done by one person or one program alone. It takes all of us.

As adults, we must model the behaviors we want to see in our students. That means demonstrating respectful interactions, resolving conflicts constructively, and being mindful of the power of our words. Words can build up or tear down. We must choose to use them to make a positive impact. When we witness bullying or harassment, we need to speak up, offer support, and take reasonable action to protect students.  

We are also proud to offer Project HOPE, which supports students’ mental health needs, and grateful to SIEF for providing financial support to train our staff in best practices for prevention and response.

Let’s commit to doing this work together.

Critical Education Appropriations Our Schools Need

As a longtime superintendent in Iowa and advocate for education, I’ve witnessed the growing challenges our schools face. Shifting demographics, declining enrollment, rising inflation, and mandated increases to teacher salaries have placed immense pressure on district budgets. Additionally, in recent years, the Iowa Legislature has missed the legally required deadline to set Supplemental State Aid (SSA)—leaving school leaders without the clarity they need to make responsible, student-centered budget decisions.

When school leaders advocate for funding, we are frequently—and rightly—asked: “How much is enough?” My response is simple but essential: What kind of education system do we want Iowa schools to provide? What do we expect our graduates to know and be able to do? What is the maximum the state can afford to invest in that vision? And what other priorities must be addressed across our state?

These are honest questions. They are the foundation of responsible policymaking.

If we want students who communicate effectively, think critically, and solve problems—with the skills to succeed in today’s workforce—our funding must align with these goals. Preparing this generation requires more than traditional academics; it means prioritizing access to technology and digital literacy, fostering an understanding of international systems and challenges, and supporting social-emotional and brain health.

Our schools must offer a relevant curriculum that includes strong early literacy programs, robust math and science education, comprehensive mental health supports, and opportunities for career exploration and pathways to earning industry-recognized credentials. Curriculum that encourages innovation and inquiry-based learning is essential to help students develop the creativity and adaptability needed in today’s world. This is a different learning environment—and it demands a different level of support.

Now is the time for Iowa to commit to a bold vision for education—one that meets the needs of today’s learners and recognizes the rapid pace of change in the workforce and technology. Schools need adequate, predictable, and on-time funding, along with the flexibility to innovate and respond to local needs. Our students deserve an education system that prepares them to lead, contribute, and thrive.

As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session, it is crucial that we keep at the forefront what truly matters for education. Let’s engage in respectful conversations with our legislators about what we value, what is important, and what our schools and students need to thrive. Let’s make our voices heard—and ask our legislators to take timely action to provide the critical education appropriations our schools need.

Come Celebrate Homecoming

This past weekend, I had the joy of attending a family wedding in my hometown, a truly delightful time. It was more than just a celebration; it was a reunion filled with laughter, storytelling, and the rekindling of relationships with extended family, lifelong friends, and those who knew me in a different chapter of life. It felt like a true homecoming. 

And speaking of homecoming—this week, Shenandoah is buzzing with excitement! A full slate of events is planned, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re an alum eager to reconnect, a community member looking to join the festivities, or simply curious to see today’s students shine, there’s no better time to be part of it. Come celebrate and be part of the vibrant spirit of Shenandoah in full bloom.

A Closer Look at Performance

As Iowa continues to refine its educational accountability system, it’s time to take a closer look at how Shenandoah schools are performing.

The 2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles reveal both strengths and areas for growth across the district. Each of our schools—except the high school—maintained its overall rating, as outlined in the chart below.

We are proud to celebrate the high rates of proficiency in math and reading at the high school level, which were recognized by both U.S. News & World Report and the Iowa School Performance Profiles. The graduation rate and work-based learning index are additional areas where the high school excelled. However, the overall rating was reduced to “acceptable” because we did not achieve sufficient growth in core academic areas across all student subgroups. This is an important distinction and highlights a key area where we must focus time and resources to support staff and help students improve their performance.

The elementary school continued to demonstrate growth and proficiency in reading and math, which helped them maintain their commendable rating. While the middle school’s rating remained unchanged, it showed improvement in overall performance, increasing by more than 11 points. Additionally, more middle school students demonstrated adequate growth and achieved proficiency in math.

IGNITE experienced a significant increase in student enrollment throughout the year and maintained its rating. This can be challenging because students enter at different times of the school year. The school continues to show strength in graduation rates and work-based learning opportunities.

Now that the results and data are available, the staff will need to take time to look beyond the surface and take meaningful steps to improve. Shenandoah is well-positioned to do this work, and I have complete confidence in our staff. I am looking forward to engaging in this work with them and seeing the positive outcomes for our students.

Routines, Character, and Continued Progress

We’re now two weeks into the school year, and it’s been a strong and steady start. Students and staff are settling into their routines, classrooms are buzzing with learning, and the energy across our buildings is positive and focused.

It’s been exciting to attend student activities and witness the enthusiasm and pride our students bring to everything they do. They are already demonstrating the kind of character and discipline that will pay dividends throughout the season.  

I was very impressed and pleased to note the number of students who were honored this week for  receiving an academic letter for the 24-25 school year. Their commitment to excellence is inspiring, and it’s clear they are building habits that will serve them well both now and in the future.  

Behind the scenes, we’re wrapping up several summer construction projects. These improvements are part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, well-kept, and functional learning environments. As we finish this phase, we’re evaluating our facility plan, reviewing the budget, and beginning to map out the next level of work needed to keep our buildings in top shape.

We’ve also received questions about the transition to the WIC conference. Recently, we heard from Tom Keating, Executive Director of the IHSAA, that the State Committee will not issue a response until the draft rules are approved by the State Board of Education in January. This places us in a holding pattern until their work is finalized. However, we are taking a proactive stance by planning to meet with the WIC Board of Controls at the end of September to discuss the timeline and entry plan. This preparation will ensure we’re ready to respond once a decision is made.

Thank you to our staff, students, and families for making the start of the year so successful. The momentum is building, and we’re excited for what’s ahead!

 

 

Reflecting on the First Week of School

As we conclude the first week of school with students, I want to share how wonderful it has been to visit classrooms across every building in our district. The teachers are exceptionally well-prepared; there is a welcoming tone throughout each school. Our students have arrived eager to learn, connect, and yes, have a little fun too. 

One of the highlights this week was the Preschool Open House, which saw a fantastic turnout. It was rewarding to see so many families excited to begin their educational journey with us.  

Across all grade levels, I’ve witnessed moments of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. From dynamic discussions to hands-on activities, it’s clear that our staff have worked hard to ensure a meaningful start to the school year.  I have great respect and admiration for the work our staff is doing to lay the foundation for a successful school year. 

Also, I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible generosity shown by our local businesses, community groups, and volunteers. Their support has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and families. 

From donations of school supplies to sponsoring back-to-school events and even offering free haircuts, the outpouring of care and commitment has been a strong encouragement for our students and staff. These acts of kindness send a powerful message to our students that they are valued and supported by our community.  

A heartfelt thank you to Mortensen, Pella Corporation, SMC, Fareway, The Mill, Getting Snippy, the Shenandoah Iowa Education Foundation, our PTO, dedicated parents, and all the volunteers who stepped up to help. Your contributions have made a real impact, and we are deeply grateful.  Schools value partnerships like this because we cannot do the work alone. It takes all of us together to make a difference.