Superintendent Search

April 17, 2025

OXFORD, IA — The Clear Creek Amana Community School District School Board has named Aaron Davidson as the next district superintendent, pending board approval.

Davidson currently serves as executive director of educational services in the Fort Dodge CSD. He has extensive experience leading data-driven professional development and applying research-based instructional strategies in a modern K-12 environment. He has a strong background in focusing on academic excellence, increasing student engagement, and ensuring success for all learners.

“I am honored to be selected as the next superintendent of the Clear Creek Amana Community School District,” said Davidson. “This is a vibrant district with a strong reputation for academic excellence and community support. I look forward to partnering with staff, families, and the board to build on that success and ensure all students are supported and challenged to reach their full potential. My leadership philosophy centers on the belief that ‘people are our greatest asset’ and that ‘leadership is about serving others.’ I’m committed to listening, collaborating, and always doing what’s best for kids,” Davidson said. “Together, we’ll continue to build a district culture where everyone—students, staff, and families—can thrive.”

Prior to his current role, Davidson was a middle school principal in Fort Dodge, as well as a PK-6th grade principal in Pocahontas CSD. Earlier in his career, he was a health, social studies, and science teacher, and he also has experience as a baseball, basketball, and football coach.

“We are excited to welcome Aaron Davidson as our next superintendent,” said Board President Dr. Allison Momany. “His experience in instructional leadership, focus on student engagement, and commitment to continuous improvement stood out throughout the interview process. We are confident he is the right leader to guide our district forward.”

Davidson holds a master’s degree in education from Viterbo University. He also earned a specialist in education credential from Drake University.

Board members worked with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search. Final interviews were conducted with three finalists on April 15.

Davidson will officially begin leading Clear Creek Amana CSD as superintendent effective July 1, 2025.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2025

OXFORD, IA — The Clear Creek Amana Community School District School Board has announced three finalists in its search for the district’s next superintendent following a comprehensive review process with staff at Grundmeyer Leader Services. The finalists are  Mr. Aaron Davidson, Dr. Josh Lyons, and Mr. Nathan Wear.

Mr. Davidson serves as executive director of educational services in the Fort Dodge CSD. He has extensive experience leading data-driven professional development and applying research-based instructional strategies in a modern K-12 environment. His leadership focuses on academic excellence, increasing student engagement, and ensuring success for all learners.

Prior to his current role, Davidson was a middle school principal in Fort Dodge, as well as a PK-6th grade principal in Pocahontas CSD. Earlier in his career, he was a health, social studies, and science teacher, and he also has experience as a baseball, basketball, and football coach.

Dr. Lyons is the associate superintendent of the Solon Community School District. There, he has worked to align financial resources with district strategic goals and instructional needs, while engaging with the School Board in identifying district financial and facility priorities. He has also led efforts to expand career and technical education opportunities for students and led efforts to improve systems to support student wellness in the district.

Dr. Lyons previously served as a regional administrator for the Grant Wood Area Education Agency, and has experience as both an intermediate and elementary school principal. He began his career in education as an elementary teacher in Dunkerton, Iowa.

As associate superintendent and chief academic officer for Linn-Mar CSD, Mr. Wear collaborates with and evaluates building principals and three curriculum directors. He also works closely with the directors of teaching and learning at each level to plan and deliver professional development, while also assisting the superintendent with the daily operations of the district.

Previously, Wear was the principal of Solon High School and the principal of Pence Elementary School in Fairfield, Iowa. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa and Viterbo University.

As a next step, the board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct formal interviews with each finalist on Tuesday, April 15. A final decision is expected to be reached soon after the formal interviews.

The next superintendent will begin leading Clear Creek Amana CSD effective July 1, 2025.

 

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March 27, 2025

The Clear Creek Amana Community School District has received strong interest in its search for a new superintendent, with a total of 28 applicants from across the country. The candidate pool includes 10 out-of-state applicants from states such as Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

In the pool there were 21 male candidates and 7 female candidates.  Thirteen candidates have a terminal degree (EdD or PhD).  Nineteen of the candidates had at least two years of district leadership experience and six had seven or more years of district leadership or superintendent experience.

Based on the review of the candidate’s credentials, licensure and licensure, the board has invited eight candidates to a screening interview on April 7.  Finalists will be named soon after the screening interviews and their credentials will be shared. 

Based on feedback from the stakeholder survey and district input meetings, the following qualifications have been identified as key traits in the next superintendent:

• Approachable and accessible
• Ability to recruit and retain staff
• Strong understanding of Iowa school finance
• Collaborative leadership style
• Focus on fostering a positive school culture and climate
• Strong ethics and integrity
• Strong communication skills
• Promoting social and emotional supports for students and staff
• Follows through on important tasks and responsibilities
• Understands state laws and mandates

Clear Creek Amana remains committed to selecting a leader who aligns with the district’s values, strengths, and goals. The community will be kept informed as the process progresses with the finalists’ names being shared publicly after the screening interviews.

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The Clear Creek Amana School District has recently hired Grundmeyer Leader Services to support the search for a new superintendent. The search will begin 

immediately and conclude with the successful hire of a new leader. Your feedback regarding what desired qualifications are most important for this position will ensure the new hire is a good fit for the school district and communities.

Please share narrative insights and rank personal and professional priorities for the new superintendent. The search team will produce a general report based on the information gathered in this survey. The report will be shared with the board to advise them on what priorities the district and community stakeholders are looking for in a new leader.

This survey is anonymous unless you provide your name voluntarily. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey and provide direction for this important leadership position by March 20.

Link to the Superintendent Stakeholder Input Survey

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The Clear Creek Amana School Board and Grundmeyer Leader Services will meet March 5 at the School Board Work Session to discuss plans for the superintendent search process and stakeholder input.  Later this week, a brief survey will be shared with all stakeholders and a community input meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 10th.

Please Join Us for a Community Input Meeting For the Superintendent Search:

Date: March 10, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: CCA High School Cafeteria

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February 27, 2025

At the February 26, 2025 School Board meeting, the Clear Creek Amana Board of Directors approved a contract with Grundmeyer Leader Services (GLS) to support the recruitment and hiring of the district’s next superintendent. The search process will begin immediately and is expected to conclude with the selection of a highly qualified leader.

Grundmeyer Leader Services is a highly respected firm with strong recommendations from numerous school districts. Their track record demonstrates stability, with leaders they place remaining in their roles longer than the national average of four years. Over the past seven years, more than 90% of GLS hires have continued to lead in the same district where they were hired.

The planning timeline and hiring process will be discussed at the March 5th School Board Work Session. Following the meeting, we will share updates and next steps with our stakeholders.

On February 26, 2025 the School Board of Directors accepted Dr. Seymour’s resignation as Superintendent of the District and Dr. Denise Schares was named interim superintendent and she will continue in that role throughout the 2024-25 school year. The School Board plans to have a new Superintendent named and in place by July 1, 2025.