Cedar Falls Principal Powers, Vying for Superintendent Job, Says He's Ready to Lead

Update 7:55 p.m.:

Speaking at a public reception Thursday night, Cedar Falls High School Principal Rich Powers said he is ready to lead.

Powers, the final candidate for the Cedar Falls superintendent position, is the only finalist without superintendency experience. But he said he thinks his work at Cedar Falls High, managing nearly 100 certified staff members and multiple administrators - there are three associate principals under him at the high school - has shown he can lead.

"I think a great leader is a great leader," he said. "There’s no doubt in my mind I’m ready to lead in our community. I have a great passion for it. I spring out of bed every morning because I love what I do."

The Cedar Falls School District is looking for a new superintendent after the board decided not to renew first-year superintendent Mike Wells' contract.

Powers said he is ready to take on the challenges facing the district, including managing growth - something he said he's doing now at the high school - and deciding what technology initiatives to pursue.

One of the big decisions that will come before the school board in the next few months is whether to renovate or rebuild the high school.

"Passing a bond is going to be a challenge. Sharing a comprehensive long term vision is key," he said, saying the district should be not just looking at a five or ten year plan for its buildings, but at a 20 year plan.

"Nobody wants to invest in a short term fix," he said. "If you have all the facts out on the table, it’s a lot easier to support it."

Powers became Cedar Falls High School principal in 2006. Originally from Harvard, Ill., he got his bachelor and masters degrees at the University of Northern Iowa and his doctorate in education from Loyola University-Chicago. Before coming to Cedar Falls, he was an assistant principal at Palatine High School in Palatine, Ill.

The first candidate, Charles City and Riceville Superintendent . On Tuesday, Decatur City Schools Associate Superintendent Thomas Van Soelen interviewed. Wednesday saw Fort Dodge Superintendent Douglas Van Zyl in town.

The school board expects to make a decision by the end of the month, with the new superintendent taking over July 1.

Original story:

Cedar Falls High School Principal Rich Powers, the final candidate for the position of Cedar Falls superintendent, will meet with the public at a reception this afternoon.

The reception is from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the James L. Robinson Administration Center, 1002 West First St., in conference room B. Van Zyl will also be interviewed by the Cedar Falls School Board today.

The Cedar Falls School District is looking for a new superintendent after the board decided not to renew first-year superintendent Mike Wells' contract.

Origianlly from Harvard, Ill., Powers was hired as Cedar Falls High School principal in 2006. He got both is bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and his doctorate of education from Loyola University-Chicago.

Powers was recently a finalist for the job of superintendent in Clear Creek Amana, according to KCRG.

The first candidate, Charles City and Riceville Superintendent . On Tuesday, Decatur City Schools Associate Superintendent Thomas Van Zyl interviewed. Wednesday saw Fort Dodge Superintendent Douglas Van Zyl in town.

The candidates are:

• Dr. Andy Pattee, Superintendent, Charles City Community School District, Charles City, Iowa (Reception 4:45 p.m. Monday)
  
• Dr. Thomas Van Soelen, Associate Superintendent, City Schools of Decatur, Decatur, Georgia (Reception 4:45 p.m. Tuesday)
  
• Dr. Douglas G. Van Zyl, Superintendent, Fort Dodge Community School District, Fort Dodge, Iowa (Reception 4:45 p.m. Wednesday)
  
• Dr. Rich Powers, High School Principal, Cedar Falls Community School District, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Reception 4:45 p.m. Thursday)
  

The board worked with search firm McPherson & Jacobson, whose consultants reviewed and screened candidates. On Thursday, consultants presented the applicants to the board of education and provided them detailed background information on each applicant. 

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