EU announces three candidates in its superintendent search
Apr. 19—After screening six superintendent candidates, East Union and Murray school boards announced three finalists to fill the role of Ken Casper, who will vacate his position as the joint superintendent effective June 30. Kasper is leaving the districts to become the superintendent of the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura school district in Garner, Iowa.
The front runners for Kasper's vacancy include Bill Huntington, Jeff Privia and Time Kuehl.
Huntington currently serves as the 7-12 Principal for Mount Ayr Schools, in which he has served for the past four years. His previous experience includes serving two years as the secondary principal for Sidney Schools, three years as the career and technical education representative, head cross country and track coach at Southwestern Community College, and 15 years as a social studies teacher and dean of students at Orient-Macksburg Schools. Some of Huntington's work includes expanding career and technical pathways, developing work-based learning partnerships and leading professional development around project-based learning. He is described by references as a strong relationship builder, hard-worker and decision-maker.
Privia has served as the Underwood Elementary Principal for the past 18 years. During his tenure he also served as a middle school principal, athletic director and technology coordinator. Other roles Privia has held include free/reduced lunch coordinator, Level 1 investigator, homeless liaison, Title 1 coordinator, and pre-kindergarten coordinator. His prior experience includes serving as a K-5 behavior disorders teacher for Fort Madison Schools. Privia routinely leads professional development for his staff, curriculum revisions and teacher evaluations. He currently works closely with his superintendent and has attended the Iowa School Finance and Leadership Conference multiple times.
Kuehl currently serves as the superintendent at Clear Creek-Amana Schools where he has served the district for the last eight years. His prior experience includes serving as the superintendent at Gladbrook-Reinbeck for five years and as an elementary, middle and high school principal at other school districts. He also has experience serving as curriculum director, teacher and athletic coach. Kuehl has served as the president for the School Administrators of Iowa, been on the governing board for the American Association of School Administrators and chaired the AEA 267 Superintendent Advisory Committee. He is also part of his community's Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs.
Formal interviews are slated for April 21. The board will review feedback from those on the interview panels and hope to name a new superintendent who will formally begin their duties on July 1.
