West Delaware Announces Three Finalists for Next Superintendent

The West Delaware School Board has announced the three finalists in their search for the district’s next superintendent.

The finalists are Jay Marley, Jen Vance and Jason Wester.

Currently serving as superintendent of the Tripoli Community School District, Marley has helped develop a strategic plan that includes a comprehensive Portrait of a Tripoli Graduate, in addition to analyzing assessment data to improve student achievement over the past three years. Marley holds a doctoral degree in education and an advanced studies certificate in superintendency from the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to becoming superintendent, Marley served as middle school and high school principal, special education director, and athletic director in the Tripoli CSD.

Vance is the current assistant superintendent in the Central DeWitt Community School District. In this position, she has led a pilot program at the high school to explore competency-based education in support of career academy implementation and guided the strategic planning process for the district. Vance holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Drake University and an advanced studies certificate from the University of Northern Iowa. Previously, she served as director of instruction and innovation in Central DeWitt.

As current superintendent of the Tipton Community School District, Wester has facilitated a district-wide shift in assessment to a standards-referenced framework and led the school improvement advisory committee in developing a Portrait of a TCSD Graduate. Wester holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Iowa, in addition to a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Illinois University. He previously served as elementary principal in the Muscatine CSD.

The board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with each of the three finalists next Monday, January 29th. The board is expected to reach a final decision soon after those formal interviews.

The next superintendent will begin leading the West Delaware Community School District effective July 1st. They’ll fill the role currently held by Dr. Kristen Rickey, who is retiring as superintendent at the end of the school year.