May 15, 2020
Nathan Wood has verbally accepted an offer to serve the as the new Montezuma Community Schools superintendent
Wood is the regional director of AEA service at Great Prairie Education Agency in Ottumwa.
Wood is contracted to serve in a part-time role at Montezuma with a 120-day contract. His hire will become official after a formal background check is completed, and the Montezuma board approves his contract at its next school board meeting.
In a news release, a school board spokesperson said, “We all agree that Nathan has the skills and qualifications to guide our district forward. He has the proven ability to improve schools, and will continue to promote a positive culture in our district. He also has a strong background in special education. We are excited to work with him and what he offers the district.”
After reviewing the candidates qualifications and references, the board chose to move forward with inviting 4 finalists to the district for formal interviews on Thursday, May 14th.
The finalists each had a tour of the school building and community. They also formally interviewed with a mixed stakeholder interview team, and the school board.
The board reviewed feedback from the tour guides, as well as everyone on the formal interview teams. After much deliberation it became apparent that Mr. Wood was the right person to move the district forward.
Wood has served in in his present capacity for the past seven years.
His prior experience includes serving the Pekin School District as 6-12 principal and special education director.
He also served as a PK-6 assistant principal and school administration manager for the Sigourney School District.
His teaching experience includes science, special education and Spanish.
Mr. Woods’ career accomplishments include leading 21st century learning and implementation of 1:1 computers at Pekin.
He has supported multiple districts with the development of multi-tiered systems of support for students in his role at the AEA.
He served on the statewide school improvement team for the Iowa Differentiated Accountability Program, and continues to support different schools on their improvement efforts as part of his AEA role.
The Montezuma board spokesperson said a reference indicated that “Nathan possesses a rare combination of qualities and talents that allow him to hold others accountable while maintaining strong and positive relationships. People like working for Mr. Wood because he clearly communicates expectations, but respects the talents and input of others.”
Nathan is a 2003 graduate of Sigourney High School.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education and pre-law from William Penn University.
His Education Leadership Degree came from Grand Canyon University in 2011.
His superintendent licensure was earned through a specialists program from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 2015, and he is currently obtaining his doctor of education degree through UNI.
Nathan and his wife, Sarah, have three children: Brayden (12), Masen (4), and Ainslee (2).
Nathan enjoys helping on their family farm, and racing dirt track cars when time allows.
Wood said, “I am very excited to serve as the Montezuma School District Superintendent. It is truly an honor to have the board select me to serve in this role.”
“It was amazing to see the level of pride everyone displayed during the interview process,” he added. “There is no doubt that there are many great things taking place every day in Montezuma.”
“I look forward to meeting the stakeholders of the district and community soon, as we prepare to work together in the upcoming school year.”
Mr. Wood will officially begin his duties on July 1.