In its search for a new superintendent, the Woodward-Granger Community School District Board of Education has narrowed the field of candidates from eight to three, and the trio of finalists will visit the district May 21 for formal interviews
The three candidates are Ron Lorenz, the current assistant superintendent for the Indianola Community School District, Dr. Matt Adams, currently the chief operations officer for the Ankeny Community School District, and Mike Van Sickle, the present superintendent for the Louisa-Muscatine School District.
The W-G School Board conducted 30-minute interviews Monday with eight semi-finalists, according to a district statement released Wednesday morning to parents, staff and district stakeholders. The electronic interviews focused on each candidate’s background, experience and “the desired qualifications that were identified in the community survey.”
The May 21 interviews with be conducted by multiple interview teams. The school board said it will consider feedback from the formal interview teams as it decides whom to hire as the new district superintendent, who will take up his duties for Woodward-Granger July 1.
“The Board of Directors is committed to finding a capable leader to continue to drive the success of the Woodward-Granger Community School District,” the board statement said. “We value your partnership and thank you for entrusting us with this important task.”
The board statement included the following biographical details about the three candidates.
Ron Lorenz currently serves as the assistant superintendent for Indianola Schools. He has served in this role the last seven years. His responsibilities include overseeing human resources, student services and staff services. His prior experience includes serving as regional director/assistant special education director for the Heartland Area Education Agency. He has also served as a Norwalk Middle School principal and curriculum director, assistant middle school principal for Ankeny Schools and secondary principal for Mormon Trail Schools. Ron has led instructional rounds in his current district and supported other districts in also implementing the program. He has also led various training programs around special education, hiring practices and school safety.
Dr. Matt Adams currently serves as the chief operations officer for Ankeny Schools. His prior experience includes serving as an elementary principal in Ankeny. He also served as a K-8 principal for Lynnville-Sully Schools and teacher in both Seymour and Des Moines. In his current position, he oversees various departments: construction, technology infrastructure, food service, safety and security, maintenance/custodial, purchasing and print services. He has also led ALICE training for the entire Ankeny school district around school safety. Dr. Adams is a strong instructional leader who successfully helps manage district growth and leads professional development for principals.
Mike Van Sickle currently serves as the Superintendent for the Louisa-Muscatine School District. His prior experience includes serving 10 years as the middle school principal and athletic director for Ogden Schools, middle school principal for Perry Schools, elementary/middle school principal at Hutchinson Community Schools at Hutchinson and KS and teacher prior to that in the same district. Some of his accomplishments include leading the district to improved student achievement scores, implementation of Positive Behavior Support System (PBIS), long-term facilities planning and development of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) program. He regularly visits classrooms and works with his current school board to develop rubrics around their board goals.
The Woodward-Granger Community School District Board of Education is led by President Ashley Brandt, Vice President Jennifer Benbow and Directors Tim Bogardus, David Elliott and Troy Janssen.
