(Guthrie Center) The school boards of the Adair-Casey Community School District and Guthrie Center Community School District named three finalists in their search for the next shared superintendent.
The finalists are Brett Abbotts, Jeremy Christiansen, and Josh Rasmussen. According to the press release, each finalist possesses a wealth of experience effectively managing district resources, holding high expectations for students and staff, and serving as collaborative leaders focused on instruction and school improvement.
Brett Abbotts currently serves as principal of Roosevelt Elementary in the Council Bluffs Community School District. There, he has implemented a school improvement plan designed to raise student achievement and enhance social-emotional learning for all students. He has also focused on recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers and staff, as well as creating an environment in which students, families, and staff feel valued and respected.
Previously, Abbotts was an assistant principal, athletic director, and special education director in the AHSTW Schools. He is a doctoral student in educational administration at the University of Nebraska, along with a master’s degree and specialist degree in educational administration from Fort Hays State University and a master’s degree in special education from Morningside College.
As the 5th-12th grade principal in the Fremont-Mills CSD, Jeremy Christiansen has contributed to and participated in individualized education plans featuring data-driven goals to positively manage and measure students’ academic and behavioral success. He also co-created a facility plan and led the school through three major construction projects. Additionally, he developed a school improvement plan to help foster increased student academic performance.
Previously, Christiansen was an activities director and activity transportation coordinator in the Fremont CSD. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Buena Vista University.
Josh Rasmussen is currently the middle school principal in the Atlantic CSD. There, he has helped implement the Iowa Instructional Framework to design, plan, and reflect on classroom instruction. He also collaborated with teachers and staff to create a comprehensive return-to-learn plan during the COVID-19 pandemic and added more science, technology, engineering, and math courses for students.
Rasmussen previously served as an assistant principal in the Atlantic CSD, as well as the high school dean of students. He holds a master’s degree in K-12 administration from Iowa State University and a bachelor’s degree in business education from Buena Vista University.
The two boards have been working with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search. The process has included a community-wide survey, asking district residents to provide their input on the qualities and characteristics they would like to see in the districts’ next leader. The boards conducted a first round of interviews on January 20.
As a next step, the boards and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with each of the three finalists on Tuesday, January 25. The boards plan to then discuss the candidates and reach a final decision soon after the formal interviews.
The new superintendent will begin serving both districts effective July 1, 2022.
