When Webster City Middle School Principal Jerry Buseman tendered his resignation last month, the Webster City Community School District started the search for their next intermediary and junior high school principal.

At the Webster City CSD Board of Directors’ latest meeting, held on Monday evening at the WCCSD School Administration Office, 820 Des Moines St., Webster City, the board accepted the recommendation of Rob Brecht as middle school principal.

Brecht will join Webster City CSD from Essex, where he was a K-12 principal. Brecht has 13 years of administrative experience, and is originally from Gilbert.

According to Dr. Mandy Ross, WCCSD superintendent, the selection procedure included teachers, support staff, students, school board members and Matt Berninghaus, the district’s incoming superintendent.

“It was a rigorous interview process,” Ross said. “There were four to six people on each of the five interview teams.”

Before approving the agenda, there were two revisions. One of the revisions was the recommendation of Brecht at WCMS Principal.

Over the course of 23 minutes, before the board moved into closed session, the school board was given an update on the tentative graduation list, set a public hearing on a budget amendment for May 22 and agreed to a rate increase for Mighty Trojan Child Care.

According to Ross, 118 students are slated to cross the podium at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at the Competition Gym on the campus of Webster City High School, 1001 Lynx Ave., Webster City.

“118 students are ready to go, and I’m looking forward to that,” Ross said.

The board set the public hearing date for the 2023 fiscal year budget amendment for their next meeting, scheduled for Monday, May 22.

A six percent increase in tuition to cover inflation and rising expenses was agreed upon for Mighty Trojan Child Care. The rate increases are meant to remain competitive when it comes to recruiting summer staff while not hitting parents with a significantly large increase every few years.

Ross also thanked the school board for their time and efforts, in the light of School Board Recognition Month.

“The public doesn’t always get the see that being on the school board beyond a rubber stamp,” Ross said. “Keep the kids at the heart of your decisions. You make me better.”

Ross also spoke on recent events and upcoming events. These events included the Spring Choir Concert, Mrs. Seiser’s Night of the Living Wax Museum at Northeast Hamilton Elementary and Graduation.

“It’s incredible, and every student does it,” said director Sally Greenfield, praising the wax museum.

There were 38 presentations in total.

Ross relayed that a Golden Apple was presented to Rachel Hanson of Sunset Heights from WHO-TV on Monday morning. Ross also brought up that it’s Teacher Appreciation Week this week.

Before moving into closed session, the board approved consent items.