Dr. Dan Cox announced his resignation at the board of education meeting Monday. He has accepted a new position as Chief Administrator of Northwest Area Education Agency. Dr. Cox’s resignation will take effect on June 30, 2018.
The Northwest Area Education Agency (AEA) board of directors announced it has extended an offer to Dr. Dan Cox for the position of chief administrator beginning on July 1, 2018. The board will meet this week to accept the contract for Dr. Cox, who is currently serving as the superintendent at Charles City (IA) Community School District (CSD).
The Northwest AEA board began its search for a new chief administrator after Dr. Tim Grieves announced his retirement last October. Dr. Grieves was hired in 2007, and his retirement is effective on June 30.
“Dr. Grieves has been instrumental in not only leading a talented group of employees at Northwest AEA, but he has been a key link for statewide AEA initiatives,” said Roger Brinkert, president of the Northwest AEA board.
Dr. Cox was hired by Charles City CSD in 2013. During his tenure, Cox spearheaded the creation of Iowa BIG North, a consortium of school districts in northeast Iowa (Charles City, New Hampton, Osage, and Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock) that brings students and business partners together. Students earn core academic credit while working on projects about which they are passionate and solving business and community problems. Cox also was instrumental in facilitating the process of building the Charles City Middle School and uniting the district in a common vision.
Dr. Cox was a principal at Hoover Middle School in Waterloo and an assistant principal at Waterloo’s East High School before being hired by Charles City CSD.
“We were fortunate to have an outstanding group of candidates for the chief position. Dan’s educational leadership and involvement at the state level will serve the AEA system well,” stated Brinkert. “We are excited for his arrival.”
Northwest AEA currently employs 255 people to serve over 44,000 students in 10 counties of northwest Iowa. Like all of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, Northwest AEA offers services in special education, professional development and media/technology. The Iowa Legislature formed AEAs in 1975 to provide equity and efficiency of educational services for children from birth to 21 years of age, families, educators and school administrators.
