-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Sevond Cole, a sixth grade teacher at Fort Dodge Middle School, greets Jesse Ulrich at the Fort Dodge Community School District central office Monday night. Ulrich was officially appointed the district’s new superintendent during the FDCSD board meeting. He will begin his duties July 1.

Jesse Ulrich was appointed the new superintendent of the Fort Dodge Community School District at the district’s board meeting Monday night.

The board approved the hire unanimously.

Ulrich, a West Bend native, will begin his duties July 1. He will be paid an annual salary of $193,000.

The district first announced its plans to hire Ulrich on March 19.

Stu Cochrane, FDCSD board president, welcomed Ulrich to the district.

Ulrich said he and his wife have visited Fort Dodge the last couple of days.

“We are very excited for the transition,” he said.

Ulrich was complimentary of Doug Van Zyl, the current FDCSD superintendent.

“I want to thank Dr. Van Zyl for being so patient in giving his time as we begin the transition for both districts,” he said. “I’ve been nothing but impressed with every person I have met so far. I am very much looking forward to the transition. Thank you.”

Ulrich has served as the superintendent of the AHSTW School District in Avoca for the past five years.

He formerly served as the superintendent/principal in Graettinger-Terril; student services coordinator and seventh-grade teacher in Dallas-Center Grimes; and high school social studies teacher in Arizona.

Ulrich lived in Fort Dodge for five years while obtaining degrees and certifications from Iowa Central Community College and Buena Vista University — Fort Dodge campus.

During that time he worked at Rabiner Treatment Center.

“I am very familiar to Fort Dodge and the dynamics of the community,” Ulrich told The Messenger in a previous interview. “That was also what drew me because I know, especially in the last 15 years, Fort Dodge has really taken off with the economic growth and the progressive mentality that they have. We really view it as a great place to bring our family and raise them.”

Ulrich becomes the 10th superintendent in the district’s history since the early 1900s. He will replace Van Zyl, who has accepted a superintendent position with the St. Joseph School District in St. Joseph, Missouri.