West Des Moines Schools searched for months for its next superintendent. Here's who they found.

Sarah Kay LeBlanc, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

After months of searching, the West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education has chosen the district's next superintendent.

Matt Adams, the current Woodward-Granger superintendent, is expected to take charge of the district starting July 1. Board members plan to officially approve his contract at their May 9 meeting.

Adams fills the position that will be vacated by Superintendent Lisa Remy. Remy, the nine-year leader of West Des Moines Schools, is taking a new job as the executive director of the School Administrators of Iowa.

At West Des Moines Schools, Adams will lead a district of more than 9,000 students. Woodward-Granger serves about 1,300.

“West Des Moines Community Schools has a rich tradition of excellence in education," Adams said in a news release. "Being asked to serve as your next superintendent is a tremendous honor and I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead this premier organization."

The school board began looking for Remy's replacement in January and retained the search firm HYA and Associates. Board President Lonnie Dafney said in a statement that Adams has an "amazing track record" of building relationships with members of the community and she is excited to have him join the district.

“His passion for students will help West Des Moines Community Schools continue to achieve the academic excellence we are proud of," she said.

Adams is familiar with the Des Moines metro.

Prior to becoming superintendent at Woodward-Granger in 2019, Adams spent more than 10 years in the Ankeny Community School District, first as a principal and eventually becoming the assistant superintendent in 2012.

He began his career in education as a teacher in 1995 for Des Moines Public Schools, according to a news release. His wife, Kim, is a teacher in the Ankeny School District.

Sarah LeBlanc covers the western suburbs for the Register. Reach her at 515-284-8161 or sleblanc@registermedia.com. Follower her on Twitter at @sarahkayleblanc

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Woodward-Granger superintendent picked to lead West Des Moines Schools