Grinnell-Newburg CSD Board of Directors Vote to Extend
Interim Superintendent Contract Through 2025-2026
At a Special Board meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Grinnell-Newburg CSD Board of Directors voted to extend current Interim Superintendent Lisa Beames contract through June 30, 2026 (end of the 2025-2026 school year). The district will start actively working with Grundmeyer Leader Services in the fall of 2025 in finding a permanent superintendent for the district; the new superintendent will begin on July 1, 2026.
Originally Ms. Beames was hired to serve as Interim Superintendent for the 2024-2025 school year. Members of the Board of Directors held focus meetings with staff in evaluating where the district is with various initiatives, as well as the status of climate and culture within the district and individual schools. Board members also elicited input from various community people on their perspective of where the district is at and where it is going under the direction of Ms. Beames. The findings of these focus meetings and community conversations were shared with the entire Board in a closed session at a Special Meeting on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. After reviewing the data, the Board voted unanimously to extend Ms. Beames contract through the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Board President Chris Starrett shared: “Our original intent was to start the search for a permanent superintendent this past fall in order to fill the position for the 2025-2026 school year. However, it became obvious the work Ms. Beames is spearheading this year truly is making a positive difference for our students and staff. She has been working tirelessly with our administrative team in building and rebuilding processes that must be part of a quality school organization and school. Part of this work is also supporting and leading our current administrative team in both efficiency and consistency throughout the entire district. Lisa is also carefully analyzing the budget and assisting in making reliable budget forecasts for the district; no one wants to get in the situation again where large-scale cuts are required. Finally, Lisa is working closely with Dr. David Stoakes in building a data-based plan on the status and needs of our current school structures. Dr. Stoakes was hired part-time to support the work of facilitating the development and implementation of a facilities plan because of his background, knowledge, and success in working with facilities, as well as his love and support for the Grinnell-Newburg school district.
Because of the current positive direction of the district, the Board decided to ask Lisa to serve another year; her primary focus will be continuing the work she has started this year and putting the district in the most optimal position for the new superintendent. Lisa has openly shared she will not be a candidate for the permanent position, but will work diligently to make sure this district is positioned extremely well for the future, which will be very attractive to the superintendent candidate pool by the fall of 2025. We are thrilled Lisa will be continuing to serve the students, staff, and communities through the 2025-2026 school year.”
Interim Superintendent Lisa Beames shared: “I have not been here that long, but I have come to love Grinnell-Newburg schools and communities. I had no intention of staying more than this year; however, our administrative team, teachers, and staff have been so great to work with, I am excited to continue our work another year. We are always focusing on how best to serve the students of this district, and how we can position the Grinnell-Newburg CSD to be the most attractive position possible for the new permanent superintendent in the 2025-2026 school year. This is important work and I am honored, thrilled, and excited to be part of it! There is no place I’d rather be serving than Grinnell-Newburg.”