Some, Porter admitted to himself, were ambitious. Others would take time and a concerted effort to accomplish.

Building a better overall climate and culture was an immediate, realistic priority for Porter. He knew the collective mentality of the district couldn’t be measured on a balance sheet or a performance report, but the 1999 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate still felt many intangible areas had to be addressed in order to inspire true growth and improvement.

“Honestly, it’s a matter of being present and visible first and foremost,” Porter said. “Knowing that I have to set a standard for our building leaders to follow. If I want our administrators, our teachers and anyone associated with the district to encourage our message moving forward, the trust factor starts with me. So that’s been a huge part of my focus (in year one): making sure we create a level of stability and sincerity at the leadership level.”

The challenges the FDCSD faces — both in reality and perception — are sometimes daunting. Porter, the fourth superintendent in as many years, has pushed to address those concerns in a direct manner, while also finding better ways to accentuate the strengths already established in the district.

-Submitted photo
Mason Gotto goes over a lesson recently with her kindergarten students at the Early Childhood Center.

“It’s a competitive environment out there, without question,” Porter said. “Knowing that, how can we be both creative and proactive about what we have to offer here in Fort Dodge? We need to do a better job of selling the public education experience, and more specifically, attracting and retaining the teachers and staff that will make this a better place.”

The FDCSD made headlines statewide recently when its Board of Education approved bonuses of $1,000 and $500, respectively, for full- and part-time employees. This was intended to be both a token of appreciation and an investment in the 550 people “who are the backbone of our district,” according to Porter.

“Again, it gets back to being thankful for the family we have,” Porter said. “There are a lot of amazing, dedicated people here, and we’re trying our best to find ways to make them feel appreciated. That’s so important in this day and age.

“You have to share and grow your brand, and celebrate the people who are a part of it. That tends to create a ripple effect in both sustaining what we have and recruiting others to join us.”

One of the “wins” Porter touts is the environment at the Early Childhood Center. Approximately 450 students in preschool, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten call the ECC home.

-Submitted photo
Mason Gotto reacts to a performance by her class at the Early Childhood Center.

The district recently announced two more preschool classes will be added to the roster for the 2024-25 school year.

“The ECC experience is second to none,” Porter said. “It’s a special place. Not only for what (teachers and staff) accomplish there, but the passion they show for what they do.

“The ECC is a perfect example of what a quality public education looks like. We’ve opened the door to having 40 more kids there next year by expanding the opportunities we offer through the preschool program. I’m just really proud of what the staff has done through hard work, commitment to each other and the love they show their kids.”

Mason Gotto, a 2017 FDSH graduate, moved back to Fort Dodge after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Gotto is in her second year of teaching kindergarten at the ECC.

“My journey as an educator has been deeply shaped by the people and places I have encountered along the way,” Gotto said. “My hometown played a significant role in making me the person I am today. The values instilled in me by my parents and the community have been the foundation upon which I have built my career.

-Submitted photo
Fort Dodge Community School District Superintendent Josh Porter, right, speaks with Bruce Taher, the CEO of Taher Foods, at Fort Dodge Senior High earlier this year.

“When I returned to the FDCSD, I found a supportive network that not only embraced me but also helped me flourish. My current principal (Jeri Ayala-Thompson) coached me and taught me how to be the educator I am today. Mr. Porter is visible in my classroom, eats lunch with my students and wants to find out what’s working. Knowing that our superintendent is dedicated to the well-being of our students and staff gives me immense reassurance. It’s truly heartwarming to feel supported at every level of our organization.”

Ryan Flaherty has a unique point of view as both an administrator and a parent. Flaherty is the principal at Duncombe Elementary School, and has two sons — an 11th grader and a sixth grader –in the district.

“I am proud of the Fort Dodge Community School District,” Flaherty said. “From the very top, with Superintendent Porter and our school board, on down through all of the staff doing the work day to day with kids, we are working hard to do what is right for students.

“I feel fortunate to have a position in a school and in a district where people above me and around me share my values and help me get better every day. I have been a school administrator in Fort Dodge for 13 years and have no intention of doing anything else with my career. At a time where public education and our community often come under scrutiny and heavy criticism, I am very blessed to say this is my home, to be led by our district leadership, and to call Duncombe Elementary my second family.”

Porter is adamant about “the need to constantly evolve.” He doesn’t shy away from confronting the district’s classroom performance level, which isn’t up to the standard he would like to see.

-Submitted photo
Fort Dodge Community School District Superintendent Josh Porter reads a book to students earlier this year.

“Our district-wide reading proficiency at grade level is at 46 percent,” Porter said. “We have to improve that across the board. That’s our No. 1 goal, and a huge focus right now.

“Fortunately, I meet regularly with (executive director of educational services) Aaron Davidson and (director of curriculum and instruction) Teri Boezinger. We bounce ideas off each other and discuss the most effective ways to address our biggest challenges. This is a collective, collaborative effort. We can’t do a thousand things at once, and I don’t have all the answers. We just have to focus on one step at a time.”

Porter added that at the end of the day, “our biggest advocates need to be our own people.”

“Of course, everyone in education today is looking to fill gaps and find ways to make up for a shortage (in teachers and workers),” Porter said. “We’re all kind of in the same boat. So what can we do to differentiate ourselves, and make Fort Dodge the place people want to work and live? Well, it starts by getting our own staff on the same page and spreading the word on our own behalf.”

Porter’s energy and approach as a superintendent will remain “old school.”

“Keep the lines of communication open. Let them know they are supported, and that you care,” Porter said. “Word spreads quickly if you treat people the right way and build a positive message.

“Our teachers are tremendous. Our paras and custodial staff are top notch. You never want to take their hard work and loyalty for granted. I want to make sure that changes for the better.”