New Clear Lake superintendent is on the job

(Above) Clear Lake Schools Superintendent Doug Gee

It’s not just back-to-school time for students.  New Clear Lake Schools Superintendent Doug Gee has been meeting with his administrative team, school board, directors, education association and community leadership since starting the job July 1.

To ready for the school year, Gee has taken a bit of a crash course in getting to know his staff and the Clear Lake community.

He began by sending out a survey to all district employees, ranging from teachers and para-educators to cooks and bus drivers.  In addition to inviting them to share a bit of personal history, Gee said he asked three questions: What should the district stop doing?  What should the district keep doing?  And what should the district start doing?  His is now creating a spreadsheet of responses and will ultimately discuss his findings with the School Board as the group works to develop goals for the future.

He has also reached out to community members and the business community, with the assistance of Tim Coffey at the Chamber of Commerce and Chad Schreck with North Iowa Corridor.  He has attended meetings of the Rotary and Lions Clubs, Clear Lake Yacht Club and more.

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Gee, who served as a shared Superintendent at Boyer Valley and Woodbine Community Schools for the past three years, said he is impressed with the Clear Lake community and its support of the school district. Prior to becoming a shared superintendent, Gee was the superintendent and 6-12 principal for Boyer Valley for two years.  From 2008 to 2014 he was assistant principal (9-12) and activities director for the Adel-Desoto-Minburn Community School District.  His experience also includes 16 years as a math and physical education teacher and coach of several sports.  He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, Master’s Degree from Drake and Superintendent License from Iowa State University. He and his wife, Nancy, have grown children.

“A lot of the first year is getting to know what is going on,” said Gee.  “There might be some immediate changes, or not.”

He identified achieving 1:1 technology at the high school as a near-term goal, along with increasing the promotion of two-year degrees and mentorships.

“I would like to encourage kids and parents to take a closer look at these programs.  There are a lot of good jobs available for those with knowledge in trades.  I think parents tend to think of old-fashioned factory work and the stigma of factory workers.  I attended the McKesson open house and that facility, for one, is anything but a factory job.  Very good wages are paid and there is opportunity for advancement.”

Gee was chosen from 19 applicants for the Clear Lake Superintendent position in March.  He succeeds Anita Micich, who had served as a shared superintendent with the Mason City School District on a 40:60 time basis since the 2010-11 school year.    In early 2016  the Clear Lake School Board voted to end the sharing agreement.

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