Montezuma School Board hires new superintendent

     The Montezuma School Board announced last week that Nathan Wood has verbally accepted an offer to serve the district as the new superintendent. He is contracted to serve in a part-time role with a 120 day contract. His hire will become official after a formal background check is completed, and the board approves his contract at their next school board meeting.
     The board commented, “We all agree that Nathan has the skills and qualifications to guide our district forward. He has the proven ability to improve schools, and will continue to promote a positive culture in our district. He also has a strong background in special education.  We are excited to work with him and what he offers the district.”
      After reviewing the candidates qualifications and references, the board choose to move forward with inviting four finalists to the district for formal interviews on Thursday, May 14.  Those finalists each had a building and community tour. They also formally interviewed with a mixed stakeholder interview team, and the school board. The board reviewed feedback from the tour guides, as well as everyone on the formal interview teams. After much deliberation it became apparent that Wood was the right person to move the district forward.
       Wood currently serves as the Regional Director of AEA Services at Great Prairie Area Education Agency based in Ottumwa. He has served in this role for the past seven years. His prior experience includes serving the Pekin School District as 6-12 principal and special education director. He also served as a PK-6 assistant principal and school administration manager (SAM) for the Sigourney School District. His teaching experience includes teaching science, special education and Spanish.
    Some of Wood’s notable career accomplishments have been leading 21st Century Learning and implementation of 1:1 computers at Pekin. He has also supported multiple districts with the development of their Multi-Tiered System of Support for students in his role at the AEA. He served on the Statewide School Improvement Team for the Iowa Differentiated Accountability program, and continues to support different schools on their school improvement efforts as part of his AEA role.
         One of his references said, “Nathan possesses a rare combination of qualities and talents that allow him to hold others accountable while maintaining strong and positive relationships. People like working for him because he clearly communicates expectations, but respects the talents and input of others."
       Wood is a 2003 graduate from Sigourney High School. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and Pre-Law from William Penn University. His Education Leadership Degree came from Grand Canyon University in 2011. His superintendent licensure was earned through a specialists program from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 2015, and he is currently obtaining his doctor of education degree through UNI.
        Wood is married to his wife, Sarah, they have three children Brayden, 12, Masen, 4, and Ainslee, 2. Wood enjoys helping on their family farm and racing dirt track cars when time allows. 
       He was excited to get the offer to be the next Montezuma Superintendent saying, “I am very excited to serve as the Montezuma School District Superintendent. It is truly an honor to have the board select me to serve in this role. It was amazing to see the level of pride everyone displayed during the interview process. There is no doubt that there are many great things taking place every day in Montezuma. I look forward to meeting the stakeholders of the district and community soon, as we prepare to work together in the upcoming school year.”
          Wood will officially begin his duties on July 1, 2020.