Decorah CSD Board of Education Names Dr. Tim Cronin Next Superintendent

DECORAH, IA — The Decorah Community School District Board of Education has named Dr. Tim Cronin as the district’s next superintendent.

Since 2013, Dr. Cronin has served as superintendent of the Central City CSD, which has had a “shared superintendent” arrangement with nearby Dunkerton CSD for the past two years. There, he has gained key experience and skills related to school finance, human resources, and providing professional development opportunities to staff. He developed and supervised a $3.5 million track, transportation, and HVAC construction project, along with a $5 million elementary school addition and a $2 million gym rebuild.

In addition to his role as superintendent, Dr. Cronin has served as curriculum director, elementary principal, director of human resources, and director of special education for Central City CSD.

Dr. Cronin is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Iowa, where he has worked with the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies and Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency programs to develop and teach graduate-level classes. He has served in leadership roles on committees for the Grant Wood AEA, Central Rivers AEA, and the Superintendent Leadership Team of the Tri-Rivers Conference.

Dr. Cronin holds a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Iowa and took part in graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin. He also received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Luther College.

The Decorah Board of Education has been working with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search. The process has included a community-wide survey, asking district residents to provide their input on the qualities and characteristics they would like to see in the district’s next leader. The board conducted a first round of interviews the week of January 24 and held interviews with the three finalists on February 7.

Dr. Cronin will officially begin leading the Decorah Community School District on .

Dr. Cronin’s welcome message can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKXbK5tI2XI

Wisconsin Singers to Perform in Decorah: Group Features a DHS Alumnus

Wisconsin Singers, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s premier Broadway-caliber touring production, is taking the stage for its 54th season in Come Alive!  This program features captivating vocals, stunning choreography, big band sound, and Badger spirit, performed by UW’s most talented students. The Wisconsin Singers will perform at Decorah High School’s auditorium for one afternoon only on Sunday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m.; this is a must-see show that will entertain the entire family.

Come Alive! celebrates the thrill of live music from the past five decades of American pop music in a 90-minute revue. Covering more than 40 songs in this exciting and fast-paced show, Wisconsin Singers highlight some of the music industry’s greatest artists ranging from Elvis Presley and the Four Seasons to Lady Gaga and Elton John. Wisconsin Singers will win your heart with award-winning Broadway showstoppers from musicals such as Kiss Me Kate, Pippin, and Chicago. Kids of all ages will delight in their favorite songs from Frozen, Peter Pan, and some ever-popular superhero cartoons. To cap off this unforgettable production, the celebrated Wisconsin Singers’ band showcases its special blend of jazz, funk, and classic rock like never before. Come Alive! is guaranteed terrific entertainment for the whole family.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting the Wisconsin Singers for an up-beat, entertaining show that features 2020 Decorah graduate Joseph Courtney,” remarked Jason Rausch, DHS vocal music teacher. “Featuring an opening performance by the Decorah HS Concert Choir,” Rausch continued,“this event promises to entertain everyone from age five to 95.”

The public is encouraged to attend the show on Sunday, February 13, the Wisconsin Singers’ only appearance in Decorah. People won’t want to miss the nationally renowned Wisconsin Singers as it celebrates 54 years of family friendly entertainment; this year’s show is the best one yet!

Tickets are available at the door for a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for students. The show is sponsored by the Decorah Music Boosters. Contact Jason Rausch at Decorah High School with any questions.

For more information, visit www.wisconsinsingers.com.

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DCSD Reports Active COVID Cases, Information about Academic Calendar

District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases

  • Total number of students and staff in isolation (currently positive) for COVID-19: twenty-seven (27)
  • Current district facilities with known positive cases: John Cline Elementary, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah Middle School, Decorah High School

DCSD reports COVID-19 data in alignment with the direction of the Iowa Department of Public Health. The full guidance can be found at the link below.

IDPH Information Sharing Guidance for Schools and Local Public Health

Instructional Hours Update

Iowa law requires public school districts to adopt academic calendars that provide either 180 days or 1080 hours of instruction.  This is the second year Decorah Schools has operated on an instructional hours-based calendar. With the emergency early outs, late starts, and cancellations which have already occurred this year, Decorah schools continues to be on pace to exceed 1080 instructional hours. Therefore, the last day of school for students continues to be Tuesday, May 24.

If additional emergency closures occur in the weeks to come, it may be necessary to add a student make-up day at the end of the year. The District will continue to monitor instructional hours and share details as necessary.

The Sanctioning of Girls Wrestling

Last Saturday, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union announced unanimous board approval to sanction girls wrestling beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. The Decorah Board of Directors was one of the first boards in the state to submit a letter supporting sanctioning and committing to having a girls wrestling program. Decorah coaches and student-athletes have committed themselves to building a strong program for both boys and girls. The announcement of sanctioning is a goal achieved. It is also just the beginning.

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Decorah Board of Education Names 3 Finalists for Next Superintendent

January 28, 2022 

DECORAH, IA — The Decorah Community School District Board of Education has announced three finalists in its search for the school district’s next superintendent.

The finalists are Daniel Barkel, John Cain, and Dr. Timothy Cronin. Each possesses a strong background and experience in recruiting teachers and staff, demonstrating collaborative leadership, promoting a community of care for students, and effectively communicating with parents, staff, and community members.

Barkel currently serves as superintendent of the MMCRU Community Schools, where he leads two school districts and answers to two elected school boards. In March 2021, the MMC community approved a bond issue, and the district is now in the middle of a major construction project. He prides himself on bringing stability, openness, and a commitment of excellence to educational leadership. Mr. Barkel previously was a principal, counselor, and vocal music teacher at Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. 

Currently the elementary school principal in the Bettendorf CSD, Cain has focused on opening up professional development opportunities for staff, building community connections, and using data to serve as a transformational school leader. He has created professional learning communities that allow staff to learn from one another and continue improving on behalf of students. Cain previously served as elementary principal and curriculum director in the Calamus-Wheatland CSD.

Since 2013, Dr. Cronin has served as superintendent of the Central City CSD, which has had a “shared superintendent” arrangement with nearby Dunkerton CSD for the past two years. He has gained key experience and skills related to school finance, human resources, and providing professional development opportunities to staff. Dr. Cronin is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Iowa and has served in leadership roles on committees for the Grant Wood AEA, Central Rivers AEA, and the Superintendent Leadership Team of the Tri-Rivers Conference. 

The Board of Education has been working with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search. The process has included a community-wide survey, asking district residents to provide their input on the qualities and characteristics they would like to see in the district’s next leader. The board conducted a first round of interviews the week of January 24. 

As a next step, the board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with each of the three finalists the week of February 7. The board plans to then discuss the candidates and reach a final decision soon after the formal interviews.

The new superintendent will begin serving the Decorah Community School District effective July 1, 2022.

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DHS Large Group Speech Students Perform Well at District Contest

January 24, 2022

Decorah High School speech students participated in a local District Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, January 22nd held at Waterloo West High School.

The performers had a great showing, earning 22 Division I ratings out of 30 total entries. The ninth-grade team performed in six entries, and the varsity team performed in 24 entries. Each ninth-grade and varsity entry receiving a Division I rating will perform at State competition on Saturday, February 5th, at Decorah High School.

Cast lists for the varsity groups moving to State contest are as follows:

Choral Reading “Fly Away” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks.

Participants include Leslie Campbell, Wyatt Hackman, Karen Henriquez, Mikiah Krieg, Nolan Jacobson, Sam Reilly, Haywood Stowe, Ruby Sullivan, Julia Alberts, Sophia Christman, Ellen Rooney, Annalise Skrade, Daniel Skrade, Libby Phillips, and Ethan Stravers.

Ensemble Acting “Good on Paper” was directed by Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks.

Participants include Evon Leitz, Jake Magner, Max Wilson, Paige Lange, Rebecca Bruening, and Ruby Sullivan.

Ensemble Acting “Fake News” was directed by Lyra McKnight.

Participants include Danielle Rix, Gabriel Hiner, Jenna Hartz, Kathryn Kelly, Michael Njus, and Simon Kutz.

Group Improv was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, and Lyra McKnight. 

Participants performed in three groups. 

Group One: Anders Lovstuen, Alex Irwin, Joe Stammeyer, and Annika Franzen.

Group Two: Nat Roberts, Rebecca Bruening, Adam Jones, and Julia Alberts.

Group Three: Koryn Bakken, Madi Castro, and Carter Kowitz.

Group Mime “Into the Storybook” was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Carrie Kauffman, and Lyra McKnight.

Participants include Julia Schwarz, Danielle Rix, Evon Leitz, and Lexy Walker.

Group Mime “The Daydream” was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Carrie Kauffman, and Lyra McKnight.

Participants include Leslie Campbell, Liz Clement, Sally Laybourn, Hayley Stowe, and Grace Neal.

Solo Mime “Steaming Hot” by Rebecca Anderson was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabe Twedt, and Carrie Kauffman.

Musical Theater “Hadestown” was directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Participants include Haywood Stowe, Drew Chamberlain, Ada Lovelace, Alex Kane, Nolan Jacobson, and Dylan Muhlbauer.

Musical Theater “Now. Here. This.” was directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Participants include Annalise Skrade, Max Wilson, Libby Phillips, Jake Magner, Mikiah Krieg, and Ella Grouws.

One Act Play “Things Fall…(Meanwhile)” was directed by Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks.

Participants include Nadia Johnson, Dylan Muhlbauer, Ella Grouws, Alex Kane, Ada Lovelace, Ellen Rooney, Ethan Stravers, Gabriel Hiner, Kathryn Kelly, Jensen Korsness, Abbie Valkosky, Lexy Walker, Mara Holland, Hogan Smith, and Larsson Shockey.

Radio Broadcasting “KCTS” was directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Drew Berns, Morgan Dlhy, August Witt, Sylvia Sandhorst, and Nat Roberts.

Radio Broadcasting “KLIF” was directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Elizabeth Pritchard, Corina Timm, Henry Weis, Mara Pankow, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, and Cody Carolan.

Readers Theater “Puffs” was directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Brielle Buresh, Karen Henriquez, Rebecca Anderson, Junior Battle, Michael Njus, Carter Kowitz, Sydney Kipp, Jensen Korsness, Anders Lovstuen, Ramsey Zilka, Abbie Valkosky, Henry Weis, Nadia Johnson, and Bella Bishop.

Short Film “Until You Can’t” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Lyra McKnight. 

Participants include Koryn Bakken, Drew Berns, Brielle Buresh, Drew Chamberlain, Liz Clement, Annika Franzen, Mara Holland, Wyatt Hackman, Ellie Luzum, August Witt, Amelia Dugger, Landan Folkedahl, Anya Lovstuen, and Elizabeth Pritchard.

TV News “Dangerous Disinformation” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabe Twedt. 

Participants include Anya Lovstuen, Hogan Smith, Amelia Dugger, Peter Essa, Britann Mettille, Sylvia Sandhorst, Nathan Swarbrick, Corina Timm, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Sam Reilly, Landan Folkedahl, and Morgan Dlhy.

TV News “Iowa Adventures: Haunted Roadtrip” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabe Twedt.

Participants include Brynn Storhoff, Sophia Christman, Paige Lange, Braunwyn Darrington, Kailyn O’Gara, Annaleissa Arnold, Simon Kutz, Caden Branum, Chloe Chyle, Bella Bishop, Easton Luzum, Thea Schissel, and Paige Werner.

Cast lists for other varsity groups who performed at District contest are as follows:

Ensemble Acting “Confessions of a High School Bathroom” was directed by Lyra McKnight. 

Participants include Alex Irwin, Annaleissa Arnold, Grace Bachelder, Hayley Stowe, Mya Redenius, and Sally Laybourn.

Group Mime “Takeout Please” was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Carrie Kauffman, and Lyra McKnight.

Participants include Chloe Chyle, Grace Bachelder, Brynn Storhoff, Brinley Krivachek, and Ellie Luzum.

Solo Mime “Sittin’ for Cerberus” by Ramsey Zilka was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabe Twedt, and Carrie Kauffman.

Solo Mime “The Call” by Junior Battle was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabe Twedt, and Carrie Kauffman.

Short Film “just speak.” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Lyra McKnight. 

Participants include Abby Woosley, Grace Neal, Kendall Holland, Kailyn O’Gara, Paige Werner, Jaxon Williams, Braunwyn Darrington, John Baldridge, Caden Branum, Joe Stammeyer, and Adam Jones.

Short Film “SMILE” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Lyra McKnight. 

Participants include Larsson Shockey, Julia Schwarz, Britann Mettille, Arlo Hayes, and Miranda Miller.

Cast lists for the 9th grade groups moving onto State contest are as follows:

Ensemble Acting “Tammy: A Coming of Age Story About A Girl Who Is Part T-Rex” was directed by Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks. 

Participants include Elliana Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, Greta Jones, Rebecca Kane, McKenzie Riley, and Ezra Vorvick.

Radio Broadcasting “KDNA” was directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Karmyn Bakken, Liam Chamberlain, Natalie Goodner, Leah Holland, Kamryn Steines, and Amelia Wadsworth.

Choral Reading “Macadamia Mayhem” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabe Twedt.

Participants include Karmyn Bakken, Elsa Johnson, Rebecca Kane, Annika Keefe, Ansel Kowitz, Caleb Krieg, McKenzie Riley, Liam Chamberlain, Grant Zilka, Margret Zook, and Gwenyth Thompson.

TV News “Breaking Barriers” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabe Twedt. 

Participants include Evynne Downing, Natalie Goodner, Leah Holland, Annika Keefe, Caleb Krieg, Andy Kruger, Beau Newhouse, Kamryn Steines, Amelia Wadsworth, Margret Zook, Chloe Sheffield, Maran Martin, Rylin Sibley, and Mikael Havens.

Cast lists for other 9th grade groups who performed at District contest are as follows:

Group Improv was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, and Lyra McKnight.

Participants include Elliana Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, Klaara Short, Davis Coppola, and Jack Sovern.

Group Mime “Do or Die” was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Carrie Kauffman, and Lyra McKnight.

Participants include Grace Blikre, Elsa Johnson, Klaara Short, Jack Sovern, and Gwenyth Thompson.

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DCSD Reports Active COVID Cases, Info on RSAI

January 21, 2022

District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases

  • Total number of students and staff in isolation (currently positive) for COVID-19: forty-eight (48)
  • Current district facilities with known positive cases: John Cline Elementary, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah Middle School, Decorah High School

DCSD reports COVID-19 data in alignment with the direction of the Iowa Department of Public Health. The full guidance can be found at the link below.

IDPH Information Sharing Guidance for Schools and Local Public Health

Updated CDC Mask Guidance

As the graph below indicates, COVID-19 isolations are increasing significantly since the return from winter break. In his weekly message to families, Superintendent Mark Lane shared, “As we strive to provide a consistently safe and healthy working and learning environment, we highly encourage eligible staff and students to be vaccinated. We also highly encourage masking in alignment with CDC guidance. We ask that everyone practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. We urge individuals to stay home when sick and to communicate with personal health care providers and our school nurses to understand when it is appropriate to return to school.”

Active COVID Case Comparison 1 20 22

Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated information and guidance regarding Masks and Respirators. The District encourages staff and families to review this updated information and to assist us in creating conditions that promote safe and healthy learning environments.

Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI)

Decorah Community School District is one of about 150 Iowa school districts that belong to the organization Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI). District representatives meet regularly to discuss the unique qualities, advantages, and challenges of rural schools and the communities they serve.

RSAI maintains an excellent website for monitoring how proceedings of the annual Iowa General Session might impact rural Iowa schools. The site includes position papers on priority issues and each week it includes a short video update about education related activity at the Statehouse. If you are interested in learning more, you can access the RSAI website here.

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DCSD Reports Active COVID Cases, Info on Superintendent Search

District COVID-19 Active Positive Cases

  • Total number of students and staff in isolation (currently positive) for COVID-19: twenty-seven (27)
  • Current district facilities with known positive cases: John Cline Elementary, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah Middle School, Decorah High School

DCSD reports COVID-19 data in alignment with the direction of the Iowa Department of Public Health. The full guidance can be found at the link below.

IDPH Information Sharing Guidance for Schools and Local Public Health

CDC Guidance for K-12 Schools

As the graph below indicates, the District has experienced this week the largest number of staff or students in isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test. In his weekly message to families, Superintendent Mark Lane shared, “As we strive to provide a consistently safe and healthy working and learning environment, we highly encourage eligible staff and students to be vaccinated. We also highly encourage masking in alignment with CDC guidance. We ask that everyone practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. We urge individuals to stay home when sick and to communicate with personal health care providers and our school nurses to understand when it is appropriate to return to school.”

Active COVID Case Comparison 1 14 22
Active Positive COVID-19 Case Comparison 2020-2021 to 2021-2022

At the end of December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools. The CDC lists the following key takeaways in the introduction to the new guidance.

Key Takeaways

  • Students benefit from in-person learning, and safely returning to in-person instruction continues to be a priority.
  • Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting vaccination can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports.
  • CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all students (ages 2 years and older), staff, teachers, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.
  • New CDC guidance has reduced the recommended time for isolation and quarantine periods to five days. For details see CDC’s page on Quarantine and Isolation.
  • In addition to universal indoor masking, CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully reopen while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple prevention strategies, such as screening testing.
  • Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.
  • Students, teachers, and staff should stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness and should be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care.
  • This guidance emphasizes implementing layered prevention strategies to protect students, teachers, staff, visitors, and other members of their households and support in-person learning.
  • Localities should monitor community transmission, vaccination coverage, screening testing, and occurrence of outbreaks to guide decisions on the level of layered prevention strategies (e.g., physical distancing, screening testing).

Superintendent Search

Tuesday evening, the DCSD Board of Directors met with representatives from Grundmeyer Leader Search (GLS), the firm facilitating the superintendent search. The Board will work with GLS to identify finalists, and in-district interviews will occur Monday, February, 7. Finalists will be announced in the days before the interviews.

DHS Students Host Madrigal Dinner Sunday, January 30

Decorah High School’s 33rd Annual Madrigal Dinner will take place on Sunday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m. at Decorah High School. (Those in attendance should please be seated by 4:50 p.m.) Advanced tickets are $25 each and are available online at https://decorahschools.ludus.com/index.php. To pay with cash or check, people can purchase tickets in the DHS office. Tickets will be sold until noon on Wednesday, January 26.

Seating for this event will be tables that will seat six people. Each ticket includes a meal fit for a King or Queen: wassail punch, field greens salad, herbed focaccia bread, roasted loin of pork with chimichurri sauce, mashed red potatoes, steamed green beans and carrots, assorted cheesecake, and coffee. Advanced orders of vegetarian entrées and gluten-free options are available when purchasing tickets.

Guests will be entertained by music of the Renaissance–performed by vocalists and brass–and the presentation of the comedic play “The Truth Fairy.” The public is invited to join the DHS Music Department on a journey to 16th Century England.

For those who do not feel comfortable participating in the Madrigal Dinner meal, general seating tickets are available to watch the program at the back of the hall at a cost of $10 per person.

Please contact Jason Rausch at Decorah High School with any questions.

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Decorah Board of Education Provides an Update on Superintendent Hiring Process

January 14, 2022

Decorah, IA – The Decorah Schools Board of Education would like to provide an update on the superintendent hiring process. The board recently met with Dr. Trent Grundmeyer and Roger Wilcox with Grundmeyer Leader Services to review the candidate pool. The position was posted from December l to January 2 and resulted in nineteen candidates.
The candidate pool included one out-of-state candidate. There were seventeen male candidates and two female candidates. Five of the candidates hold a terminal degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.), while nine have three or more years of administrative experience.
All nineteen candidates were presented to the Board of Education in closed session on January 11. After the review of candidates’ application materials, references, licensure verification, and social media, five candidates were selected for screening interviews that will take place on January 26. The screening process will allow the board to further evaluate the candidates’ qualifications for the position and narrow the process to three finalists.
The search consultants will set up and facilitate the screening interviews and finalists will be publicly named shortly after the screening interviews take place.
The desired qualifications that were identified from the stakeholder survey will continue to drive the hiring process. Those desired qualifications included:

• Is approachable, accessible, and welcoming
• Recruits, hires, supports, develops, and retains effective staff members
• Demonstrates collaborative leadership
• Demonstrates ethics and integrity
• Promotes a community of care and support for students
• Possesses strong communication skills
• Follows through on tasks and responsibilities
• Builds community and school relations
• Strong instructional leader

The board will soon reach out to community members to serve on the team conducting formal interviews with the finalists, which will take place on Monday, Feb. 7. The new superintendent will begin leading the Decorah Community Schools effective July l, 2022.

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