From Benton Community School District

In February, Benton Community School District retained the services of Ray and Associates, Inc. located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to assist them in the search for a new superintendent. The community was invited to fill out a survey defining what qualifications the board should consider in the search. Dale Monroe and Molly Schwarzhoff met face to face with Stakeholder groups to determine the qualities and characteristics most desired in their new Superintendent.

The board took those results and determined the final search and selection criteria. In consideration of the criteria developed by the district, six individuals selected from 29 completed applications were interviewed for the position.

On April 15, 2019, the board interviewed the top two candidates and collected feedback from community members through an open forum. The successful candidate, selected by the board, was Dr. Pamela Ewell, superintendent in both the Van Buren and Harmony School Districts, located respectively in Keosauqua and Farmington. Pending final board approval of a contract, she will begin in the new position on July 1, 2019.

In a press release, it was stated that the board is very pleased with the objective process, recruiting, vetting of candidates and the attention afforded the search by Dale Monroe, Molly Schwarzhoff and the firm of Ray and Associates.