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Decatur School Board names Iowa City Chief Operating Officer as superintendent finalist

Decatur

Decatur School Board names Iowa City Chief Operating Officer as superintendent finalist

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David Dude. Photo provided by City Schools of Decatur

David Dude. Photo provided by City Schools of Decatur

This story has been updated. 

The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education has named a finalist to be the school system’s next superintendent.

The School Board has named David Dude (pronounced doo-dee), the current chief operating officer for the Iowa City Community School District, as its top finalist.

Phyllis Edwards announced her resignation in March and her contract ends Dec. 31. She is currently in negotiations for a job with the Georgia School Boards Association.

Board Chairman Garrett Goebel said, “We are confident we have found the right leader for city schools of Decatur.”

The board will consider approving Dude’s contract on Oct. 19.

City Schools of Decatur has issued the following press release concerning Dude’s selection:

Dr. David Dude Named City Schools of Decatur Superintendent Finalist

The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education is proud to announce that Dr. David Dude has been selected as the finalist for Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Dude is from the Iowa City Community School District where he serves as the Chief Operating Officer responsible for nearly all aspects of operational efficiency and effectiveness in the district. As Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Dude helped academic and curricular initiatives prosper by transforming infrastructure, technology and operational support. After designing and implementing a district-wide technology initiative, he led the district’s Facilities Master Planning process, leading to the adoption of a 10-year plan which includes three new 500-student elementary schools and a new 1500-student comprehensive high school.

The Board selected Dr. Dude following a robust national search facilitated by consulting firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA). A key component of the search was soliciting input from stakeholders regarding the characteristics the new Superintendent should possess. HYA met with 360 stakeholders including students, staff, parents and community members and received nearly 700 responses to the online survey.

More than eighty-five applications were received from thirty-eight states. Current superintendents represented 20% of the applicant pool and assistant superintendents, chiefs and deputy superintendents represented 25-30% of the pool. The Board reviewed applications and selected applicants to interview. Semi-finalist candidates were selected and invited back for a second interview with the Board. A community panel interviewed the semi-finalist candidates and provided feedback to the Board.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff, students, parents and community members for taking the time to share input to inform this process,” said Board Chair Garrett Goebel. “Also, thank you to the members of the community interview panel for the many hours of work to provide valued feedback. We are confident that we have found the right leader for City Schools of Decatur.”

CSD also released more biographical information about Dude.

Dr. David Dude (pronounced DOO-dee) comes to City Schools of Decatur having served for over 19 years in numerous capacities as an educator and educational leader.

Most recently, he worked as Chief Operating Officer of the 13,500-student Iowa City Community School District. Responsible for nearly all aspects of operational efficiency and effectiveness in the District, Dr. Dude helped academic and curricular initiatives prosper by transforming infrastructure, technology and operational support. After designing and implementing a Districtwide technology initiative, he led the District’s Facilities Master Planning process, leading to the adoption of a 10-year plan which includes three new 500-student elementary schools and a new 1500-student comprehensive high school. Dr. Dude looks forward to galvanizing stakeholders in Decatur around a compelling, student-focused vision as the District continues to address facility issues and other challenges resulting from rapid growth and success.

Prior to his tenure in Iowa City, Dr. Dude served as Chief Technology Officer in Kansas City, MO, and provided technological leadership and development within Iowa’s state testing program at the University of Iowa. Dr. Dude’s career as an educational leader is rooted in his 11 years of teaching high school math. His work also is informed by his experiences leading summer camps, teaching talented and gifted elementary and junior high students, instructing at the community college level, and teaching future educational leaders in the University of Iowa graduate programs.

Dr. Dude graduated cum laude from Cornell College with a B.A. in Mathematics and Secondary Education. He earned an M.A. in Educational Administration and an M.A. in Educational Measurement & Statistics, both from the University of Iowa, after which he earned a Ph.D. in Educational Policy & Leadership Studies, also from the University of Iowa.

David and his wife, Amanda, have three children ages 4, 6, and 9, currently in pre-school, first grade, and fourth grade. His family enjoys playing with their new golden retriever puppy, Luna, expanding their musical horizons, reading, spending time in the outdoors, and exploring and learning through new adventures.

Correction: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the pronunciation of the superintendent finalist’s name. This story has been updated with the correct information. 

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