Finalists Named for Charles City Schools Superintendent

The search for the next superintendent of the Charles City School District, started before the suspension of current Superintendent Anne Lundquist, has entered the next phase.

Wednesday (04.24), the School Board announced three finalists for the position, Steven Barber of Grinnell, Gary Benda of Hills and Brian Burnight of Sioux City. Interviews will be conducted on May 6th and numerous stakeholder groups will meet with the candidates and submit their input to the School Board, which plans to make a decision by May 7th.

The new Superintendent will start July 1st.

The search firm, McPherson & Jacobson, has been assisting the school district with the hiring process.

Meanwhile, Lundquist remains on paid administrative leave while the schools’ attorney, Ahlers * Cooney, PC, investigate allegations about behavior “that raises questions about Dr. Lundquist’s fitness for duty and ability to serve as an employee of the Charles City Community School District.”  

School Board President David Schrodt, who notified teachers and staff of the suspension last Friday, says the investigation regards internal matters and does not require involvement by law enforcement.

Lundquist has declined to comment on the advice of her attorney.

Lundquist began serving as superintendent in April 2022 and has held the position ever since. In February, she announced she would retire at the end of this school year, June 30th.

Schrodt says a temporary superintendent from the Central Rivers AEA was assigned Monday (04.22) to assist the school district in the interim.