A-P names four superintendent finalists

The Aplington-Parkersburg School Board announced four finalists in its search for a new superintendent on Monday.

The finalists are Travis Fleshner, Pat Hamilton, Darren Hanna and John Howard.

The board and district leadership conducted a first round of screening interviews on Feb. 3 to narrow the field down to the four finalists.

Board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with each of the finalists on Monday, Feb. 14. The board will then discuss the candidates and reach a final decision soon after the interviews.

The new superintendent will take over effective July 1, 2022. Randy Strabala is currently the interim superintendent.

The following are profiles for the four finalists, via a press release from the school district:

— Fleshner is the superintendent in the Union Community School District in La Porte City, Iowa. He has led the development of short and long-term facility plan goals, managed financial challenges related to declining enrollment and led the district through the COVID-19 pandemic. His previous experience includes serving as a high school principal, middle school principal, physical education teacher, and varsity football coach.

— As director of student services in the Spencer Community Schools, Hamilton has directed both special education and English language learner programs. He also implemented classroom-based mental health supports for students and served as homeless student liaison, Title IX coordinator, and equity coordinator for the district. Before that, Hamilton was Spencer’s middle school principal. He began his career in education as a middle school social studies teacher in the Algona Community Schools.

— Hanna currently serves as superintendent of the Emmetsburg CSD, where he has developed and enacted a comprehensive strategic plan, implemented professional learning communities for staff, and overseen critical technology infrastructure upgrades. He also worked to create and execute a 10-year facilities plan for the district. Previously, Hanna was director of elementary education for the Waterloo CSD, as well as director of instruction and technology in the Mt. Pleasant CSD.

— Howard is the current 9th-12th grade principal in the Independence CSD. His leadership has encompassed all aspects of school administration, including student achievement, discipline, curriculum and instruction, budgeting, strategic planning, facility management, human resource management, organizational change, and parent relations. Howard previously served as a principal and curriculum director at St. Edmond Catholic Schools in Fort Dodge.