New Superintendent Announced for Oskaloosa Community School District

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Rick Watts

Paula Wright Will Be Oskaloosa Community School District’s Next Superintendent

The Oskaloosa Community School District Board of Education voted to offer a 3-year contract to Paula Wright who has served the last 11 years as Superintendent of Schools at Chariton. She also serves as the District’s Curriculum Director and Special Ed Director. Wright has accepted that offer and will be the new Superintendent effective July 1.

“We’re pleased to have Paula on board. Her experience and hardworking, high-energy style, coupled her desire to do what’s best for kids, will serve the Oskaloosa district well,” commented Board President Shelly Herr. “She’s anxious to partner with faculty, staff, parents, and the community to provide opportunities for all students,” said Herr.

Wright studied Educational Leadership at Iowa State University, completing her Certificate of Advanced Studies in 2005. She has also earned a Master of Science Degree from Drake University in Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Simpson College in Elementary and Special Education. Wright has teaching experience in Special Education, 2nd, and 4th grades and served as an elementary principal for 9 years prior to assuming the Superintendent role.

Wright has also been involved in advocacy for public education through her leadership work on committees with the Iowa Department of Education and School Administrators of Iowa, working with state legislators.

She and her husband Gene have three grown children, all living in the Des Moines area. They have both been very active in their community and in her free time she enjoys quilting, swimming, bicycling, and spending time with family and friends.

“I am excited to join the Oskaloosa Community School District family. I was impressed with the support and dedication from the community, administration, faculty, and students. I can tell the Oskaloosa community cares about their school district, community, and students. This type of environment is a perfect match for my leadership style. I am looking forward to meeting you and becoming an Oskaloosa Indian! Together we can create an environment which engages all students to embrace the power of learning.”

“As part of this hiring process, stakeholder groups shared the strengths and needs of our District,” said Herr. “Through those discussions, as well as conversations with the candidates, it’s become clear to me how fortunate we are to have a community that supports our school and a great staff that’s committed to the students of our District. I think Paula has the ability and passion to lead our district and build upon those strengths. It is now up to all of us to do our part to support and help her and her team move our district forward.”

The Board will meet to ratify the contract later this week.

OCSD Board Meeting

The Oskaloosa Community School District Board of Directors (Osky School Board) will meet in a regular session on Tuesday, March 13 at 6:00 PM. The meeting will last until all agenda items have been addressed and it will take place in the George Daily Auditorium Board Room next to the Oskaloosa Community Schools buildings. All members of the public are always invited to regular session meetings unless a closed meeting is posted in advance. The full agenda is available below:

AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Public Comment
4. Reports
a. Board
b. Building
c. Curriculum Director
d. Superintendent
5. Consider Approval of Minutes, Financials, and Abstract of Claims
6. Presentation on Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
7. Presentation by Take Action Consulting
8. Presentation on Winter Assessment Data
9. Consider Revisions to Grading for High School Mathematics
10. Consider Acceptance of 2016-2017 Audit Report
11. Consider Receiving Bids and Authorizing Purchase of School Buses
12. Consider Declaring Surplus Property and Authorizing Sale
13. Consider Approval of Audit Services RFP and to Solicit Proposals
14. Consider Approval of 2018-19 Student Fees
15. Consider Approval of Hot Lunch and Breakfast Prices
16. Consider Approval of 2018-19 Certified Budget SBRC Levies
17. Consider Approval of 2018-19 Certified Budget and Hearing for Publishing
18. Consider Adoption of Budget Guarantee Resolution
19. Personnel
20. Review Subsequent Meeting Date(s)
21. Adjourn

Oskaloosa Community School District Board Meeting

The Oskaloosa Community School District will have a meeting of the Board of Directors on March 8 at 7:30 PM in the George Daily Auditorium Board Room. The main topic at hand will be to consider approval of profile and documents for the search of a Superintendent.

Stream All Smiles After Election Results

Posted on September 13, 2017 by KBOE Administrator

“My heart is beating fast. It’s been kind of tied in knots all day,” Lynette Stream expressed at the Mahaska County Courthouse Tuesday evening.

Stream, along with her husband, were awaiting the results of the election in the foyer of the courthouse. A wave of relief rushed over Stream as she was told that she had surpassed Tom Richardson, incumbent and current school board president, by just over 60 votes.

Stream, an unsettled parent and mother, received 564 votes while Richardson followed behind with 499 votes.

This is the third election in the past decade where a running school board president was surpassed by their opponent. Don Patterson, who was on the school board dating back to 2001, ran opposed in 2011 and lost the vote. In 2013, Susan Boxler also ran and lost her candidacy.

“I think, still tonight when i was at soccer field with my daughter, one of the major issues is still discipline.” Stream noted. “You know, we’ve made great strides with that.”

When NCN representative, Miranda Keeler, asked Stream about why board members — even currently on the board — speak of discipline yet only walk through the school to see physical changes. No member of the board speaks of personally witnessing the actions of students and disciplinary action students receive.

“I think that is one way I have an advantage as a stay-at-home mom,” responded Stream. “Other board members working full time may not have the time. I’m really excited to work with Rozey Warder.”

Rozanne “Rozey” Warder is the CEO of Take Action Consulting who has been working with the Oskaloosa Community School District for some time now. Take Action Consulting specifically designs plans for school districts, as well as various organizations.

Richardson made a brief appearance at the courthouse Tuesday evening following the dismissal of the regularly scheduled school board meeting, the only current standing school board member to do so. Richardson shook Stream’s hand and congratulated her on the victory before he exited. Richardson had served the board for the last 6 years.

Shelly Herr ran unopposed for District 2 receiving 882 votes.

Carl Drost, incumbent, received 611 votes for the At-Large candidate seat. His opponent, Kym Life, only received 472 votes.

At a school board meeting in late August, Drost noted that this would be last term running for school board.

Drost took to Facebook Monday before the big election day. “The parents and concerned citizens need to send a message to the school system by electing Carl Drost and Lynette Stream to the Oskaloosa School Board tomorrow.”

Seemingly endorsing the idea that a partnership had formed between Drost and Stream throughout the school board election and forum process. Drost continued, “We need everybody to post, call and tell all their friends to get out and vote telling them how important this election is for our students and our community. (Tom and Kym sent out postcards last weekend).”

Stream shared Drost’s Facebook post and also noted to vote the duo for Oskaloosa School Board.

The number’s for this school board elections closed in on record setting for ballots casted. Almost 1,100 votes were counted, both absentee and at the polls. The highest voter turnout occurred in 2005 when the votes counted reached almost 1,400. Just two years ago, out of the over 12,000 registered voters, only 345 ballots were casted.

The Board of Supervisors will accept and confirm the official results of the Mahaska County School Board Election later this week.

This upset win of Stream over Richardson means a new president will be elected. All candidates will take their oath at the next school board meeting on the evening of September 26th.

“Thank you so much for trusting me, listening to me. And thank you for putting the word out,” Stream spoke to those who voted for her.

TAG SEARCH RESULTS FOR: "Oskaloosa Community School District"

NEWSLETTER