Local News
Davis County superintendent takes job with Solon community schools
Resignation effective June 30
BLOOMFIELD — After 11 years with the Davis County school district, the superintendent is leaving.
“It is with mixed emotions that I announce my resignation, effective June 30, 2010,” stated the note Sam Miller sent out to community members. ”I have accepted the superintendent position with the Solon Community School District.”
Though he’s kept the school board members informed since before interviewing with the Solon school district, Miller made the official announcement Friday. He said he’ll miss the people he’s worked with over the past 11 years in Davis County, where he spent four as principal at the middle school, three years as principal at the high school and the past four years as superintendent.
“What I would anticipate is [the school board] would do a statewide search for a quality candidate; I think it’s early enough they should be able to get a high number of candidates to apply.”
Miller called Davis County one of Iowa’s “premier school districts.” So what challenges could the next superintendent face?
“In a declining enrollment district, finances are always a challenge. School funding is student [population number] driven,” Miller said.
And as “No Child Left Behind” mandates become more stringent, he said, all educators will feel the challenge to stay ahead of the requirements.
Boards ultimately look to their superintendent to meet those goals.
There was plenty of interest in the Solon superintendent job, Miller said, estimating at least 60 candidates applied. Location, between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, was a factor in his family’s decision, Miller said, as were factors like population growth and student achievement figures.
The job should be a challenging, he said.
“Solon does everything at a very high level; I’m looking forward to being part of an organization that sets the bar so high, and has high expectations in all areas,” Miller said. “It had so much to offer for my family and myself professionally, [my wife and I] just felt we had to take it.”
Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mnewman@ottumwacourier.com.
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