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FD board to receive Joel’s resignation

Superintendent cites desire to return to his home state

Fort Dodge Community School District Superintendent Derrick Joel will submit his resignation to the local Board of Education during its meeting Monday.

Joel will resign effective June 30 to become assistant superintendent of the Norris School District in Nebraska.

“I will do everything that I can to ensure a smooth transition,” Joel said.

He became the Fort Dodge superintendent on July 1, 2021, and will have been in the job just one year when he departs. He said he is making the move for a couple of reasons.

“No. 1, it gets us back to our home state of Nebraska,” he said. “No. 2, Norris is a growing district and community just outside of Lincoln.”

He said much of the anticipated growth from Lincoln, the state capital of Nebraska, is moving toward Norris.

He said as assistant superintendent he will be in charge of the district’s operations and human resources.

He said he was proud of establishing trusting relationships in the Fort Dodge district.

“I was visible in schools,” he said. “I was visible at events.”

“We have just such an amazing staff at all levels,” he added.

Stu Cochrane, the president of the Fort Dodge school board, said board members will have to decide if they want to immediately seek a permanent replacement for Joel or appoint an interim superintendent.

The timing of Joel’s announcement may complicate things, according to Cochrane. He said in Iowa most school superintendent positions are filled in January and February.

“We’re really kind of late to the game,” he said.

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