Last month, the board and a search consultant announced finalists for the position of district superintendent. The two finalists were selected based on “an extensive review process that included candidate’s application materials, references, and a screening interview.”
The finalists were invited to the district for formal interviews on Monday, Dec. 5th. Formal interviews included students, parents, classified staff members, certified staff members, community leaders and administrators. The interview schedule included a tour of district facilities and the larger community. Feedback from the interviews advised the board on who will be offered the contract to serve as the district superintendent starting July 1, 2017.
Finalists for the job include:
Michael Penca
Michael has served as the Mason City Community School District Interim Superintendent since June 2016. He has served the district and been a part of the larger community since 1995. Throughout his service to the district Michael has served as a teacher, principal, district administrator and superintendent. Michael served as an elementary principal at Madison, Harding, and Jefferson Elementary Schools. His district level experience includes serving as the Executive Director of Learning Supports and Elementary Programs (2013-2016) and prior to that Director of Elementary Programs and PK-6 Special Education (2010-2013). As a vested community member, Michael is active in local service organizations, River City Kiwanis and Noon Rotary and district activities. He is currently working on his Education Doctorate Degree (EdD) at Drake University. Michael’s wife, Kristine, is a 5th grade teacher at Lincoln Intermediate. They have two children who have both graduated from Mason City High School.
Dave Versteeg
Dave started his teaching career with Parker School District in Parker, SD (1980). He later served as a teacher, coach and athletic director for the Custer School District in Custer, SD (1986) before taking an assistant principal/athletic director position in Newcastle, WY (1994). Dave came to Iowa in 1998 to serve as the Assistant Principal for Pella Community High School and later served as the Middle School Principal for the
Pella Community School District (2000-2007). Since 2007, Dave has served as the Montezuma Community School District Superintendent where he has lead multiple facility projects, improved student achievement and provided the district sound fiscal management. Dave is active as a community leader who serves in the Lion’s Club and has most recently been a part of developing a community vision. Dave has also published various articles in Principal Leadership Magazine around leadership. Mr. Versteeg earned his Certificate of Advanced Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. He and his wife Brenda have two grown children.
The Board of Education will meet in the Board Room of the Administrative Center, 1515 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Speculation is that Versteeg will get the appointment and contract.
I see the new boss is get 172k plus bennys. I know people are going to bitch like crazy but if you ever look at the school budget and see what bills go out take a look at transportaion every month 166k -175k. Thants a lot of bread. I also did a little checking and found out that the bus drivers only make 12.40 an hour. What a shame for transporting very precious cargo. So before everyone bitches about how much money the big guys makes dont forget how little the slaves make that take your children to school everyday, rain,snow and sun shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
whats with the city of mason city., there are enough qualified persons to fill positions but yet they get outsiders.
police chief — outsider
fire chief — outsider
super of schools — outsider.
it used to be you would work hard and be dedicated to your job to work up the ladder and now the top step has been taken out of the ladder., didn’t we learn from Jack Schliepper???
They are breaking up the establishment as they should. Also, new people equals new ideas which is always good. Shake the tree and get rid of the dead leaves and we have a lot of them.
I’m sure Penca’s wife would not have continued teaching. She wouldn’t need to with the salary Anita had lined up. My guess is the school board weighed in on finding a replacement for both Mike and his wife’s position in the district, and that was used toward their decision..
All of the people advocating for an out of towner must have forgotten what a train wreck Micich was. She never even owned property in town and we gave her $300k in taxpayer money to leave. Penca has given 21 years to MC schools.
What do you care. You don’t live here so you don’t get “an” opinion.
Hey! Congratulations on the correct grammar! You get a gold star.
Doesnt matter now they choose the out of towner, good choice?
I agree.
It is definitely a conflict of interest for Penca. How can he represent all of the people when his wife is a teacher?
if its Penca does his wife lose her job?? Conflict of interest. I really hope its an outsider, we need new blood as Penca is a clone from Mistake Michic,