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Board thanks Sherwood for service

Mike Sherwood attends his final WC?board meeting as Dr. Amanda Ross prepares to step into the superintendent position

Superintendent Mike Sherwood took part in his final Webster City school board meeting Monday night as he prepares to retire from the district on Friday.

Sherwood announced his retirement at the beginning of the year. He has served as superintendent for 14 years. Members of the board thanked Sherwood for his service to the district and wished him well as he enters retirement.

“We appreciate your hard work and dedication,” said Board President Beth Van Diest. “You will be missed.”

An extensive search was conducted during February and March to find his replacement. Dr. Amanda Ross, who had worked as associate superintendent in the Ames School District, will step into the superintendent position beginning on Monday, July 2.

The board received two resignations from teachers in the district — Theresa Turpen, sixth grade English and social studies instructor and Kristin Topp, seventh grade math and science teacher.

Six contract recommendations were approved. Patrick Farley, a Webster City High School graduate, was hired as the high school associate principal. Farley is a graduate of the Iowa Principal Leadership Academy, has a master’s degree in educational psychology, curriculum and instruction. He has a bachelor of science in psychology and political science. He currently teaches at East Marshall-LeGrand in high school social studies.

Farley will replace Kevin Whitehill as the high school associate principal.

Dr. Amanda Ross, who was in attendance, introduced Erin Miller, who will serve as the new director of teaching and learning. Miller comes to Webster City from Ames. She has a masters degree in English from the University of Northern Iowa and an administrative degree from Iowa State University. Her teaching experience includes high school English at Ames, Ankeny and Colfax-Mingo.

“Most recently she has been serving in the curriculum office at Ames as a teacher on special assignment for the past three years,” Ross said. “I’m excited to bring her on board here. She will serve our students and staff well as the director of teaching and learning.”

Other contracts were offered to:

• Megan Allison, seventh grade math and social studies,

• George Artley, middle school counseling

• Rebecca Eggers, seventh grade science and social studies

• Kathryn Russell Jass, sixth grade special education

The board also heard a report from school nurse Eva Powers. Sherwood offered highlights from the written report.

“There were 5,680 visits to the school nurses office, between the four school buildings; 7,558 daily medications were administered either by the school secretaries or nursing staff, in addition to the yearly screenings for students and staff education,” he said.

Sherwood reminded the board that Powers would also be retiring from the district this month.

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