The Benton Community School District is looking for a dynamic, passionate and committed leader that wants to help us reach our mission of “Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning” at our Keystone Elementary center (PreS – 3rd grade).

The district desires candidates who value creating relationships with students, staff, and our communities. This administrative experience includes the ability to lead collaboratively and support and promote student growth and the opportunity to foster a student-centered approach while sharing curiosity and the ability to create a safe school learning environment for all.

Benton Community is a rural public school district with its Central Office located in Van Horne, Iowa. Benton Community is made up of 8 communities: Atkins, Blairstown, Elberon, Keystone, Newhall, Norway, Van Horne and Watkins.

Keystone Elementary is located in Keystone, Iowa, and is one of our 3 elementary buildings with an approximate enrollment of 200 students. Atkins Elementary (PreS – 3rd) is located in Atkins, IA with an approximate enrollment of 420. Norway Intermediate (4th – 6th) is located in Norway, Iowa with an approximate enrollment of 340. Our Middle/High School (7th – 12th) is located in Van Horne, IA with an approximate enrollment of 735.

Benton’s core values and beliefs include Educational Excellence, Caring/Belonging Environment, Continuous Growth, and Team Work. We have great pride and success focused on helping our students grow and learn with the following Student Standards: Creative Problem Solvers, Cooperative Contributors, Complex Thinkers, Self-Directed Learners, Responsible Citizens, and Effective Communicators.

Desired candidates should have experience and knowledge in the areas of:

• High-quality instructional practices aligned with the Iowa Academic Standards
• Facilitation of professional learning and professional learning PLC’s (or CLDT teams - Collaborative Learning Data Teams)
• Assessment and evidence of student learning for instructional and system decisions
• Serving and supporting our students, including students with special needs and English Language Learners

• Valid Iowa Administrative License (or the ability to immediately obtain a license by the date of hire)
  • Initial Administrator License - https://boee.iowa.gov/license-authorization/initial-administrator
  • Professional Administrator - https://boee.iowa.gov/license-authorization/professional-administrator
• Iowa Evaluator Approval License
• Principal experience at the elementary level preferred but not required

• Website
• Facebook page
• Brochure/Flyer
• Keystone Elementary Facebook page
• Athletics – Twitter account
• Vocal Music and Show Choir
• Bobcat Athletics

Application deadline: April 28, 2023

Applicants must use the online application to apply.

Information about the position:

Policy Title: ADMINISTRATOR DUTIES Policy # 303.5

Administrators will be hired by the board to assist the superintendent in the day-to-day operations of the school district.

Each attendance center will have a building principal responsible for the administration and operation of the attendance center. Each building principal, as chief administrator of the assigned attendance center, is responsible for the building and grounds, for the students and employees assigned to the attendance center, for school activities at the attendance center, for the education program offered in the attendance center, and the budget for the attendance center. The principal is considered the professional advisor to the superintendent in matters pertaining to the attendance center supervised by the principal. Although the principals serve under the direction of the superintendent, duties of the principal may include, but not be limited to the following:

• Cooperate in the general organization and plan of procedure in the school under the principal’s supervision;

• Supervision of the teachers in the principal’s attendance center;

• Maintain the necessary records for carrying out delegated duties;

• Work with the superintendent in rating, recommending and selecting supervised employees whenever possible;

• Work with the superintendent in determining the education program to be offered and in arranging the schedules. As much of the schedule as possible should be made before school closes for summer vacation. In the matter of courses offered, the final approval rests with the superintendent who is in turn responsible to the board;

• Ensure that proper care is taken of all school books, supplies, materials, equipment, furniture and facilities;

• Instruct teachers to make a complete annual inventory of all school property contained in their individual rooms. This inventory is reviewed and filed with the board secretary;

• Investigate excessive cases of absence or tardiness of students and notify the parents or guardians of unexcused absence or tardiness. All such cases should be reported to the superintendent;

• Make such reports from time to time as the superintendent may require;

• Maintain the regular schedule of school hours established by the board and make no temporary changes in the schedule without the consent of the superintendent;

• Promptly notify the superintendent whenever ventilation, sanitation or heating of the building is unsatisfactory;

• Contribute to the formation and implementation of general policies and procedures of the school;

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the superintendent of schools.

This list of duties will not act to limit the board’s authority and responsibility over the position of the administrators. In executing these duties and others the board may delegate, the administrators will consider the school district’s financial condition as well as the needs of the students in the school district.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8, .21, .23A.

• Valid Iowa Administrative License (or the ability to immediately obtain a license by the date of hire)
  • Initial Administrator License - https://boee.iowa.gov/license-authorization/initial-administrator
  • Professional Administrator - https://boee.iowa.gov/license-authorization/professional-administrator
• Iowa Evaluator Approval License
• Principal experience at the elementary level preferred but not required
• ability to provide own transportation.

Benton Community School District Administration:

Administration Office Address

304 First Street · P.O. Box 70 · Van Horne, IA 52346 · (319) 228-8701 · Fax (319) 228-8254

Administration

• Dr. Pamela Ewell – Superintendent
• Dr. James Bieschke - Associate Superintendent, School Business Official
• Rob Arnold – Principal, High School
• Craig Huegel - Activities Director, Assistant Middle/High School Principal
• Ryan Junge – Middle School Principal, Dir. of Student Services
• Phillip Eastman – Principal, Norway Intermediate Center
• Jason West – Principal, Atkins Elementary Center
• Anna Selk – Dir. of Curriculum and Instructional Services

Benton Community CSD

Benton Community Schools is a PK-12 public school located in east central Iowa. The District has four student attendance centers: Atkins Elementary Center (PK-3), Keystone Elementary Center (PK-3), Norway Intermediate Center (4-6), and the MS/HS (7-12).

Benton Community SD Mission Statement: "Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning"

Superintendent Message:

The Benton Community School District provides outstanding opportunities for the students, from preschool through high school. From a caring, committed professional staff of teachers and administrators to excellent and safe learning facilities, from the fine arts to athletics, Benton Community SD provides an environment where children feel they belong.

The great success of our students is directly related to the quality of the teachers and support staff at Benton. Our employees take pride in their commitment to quality education. They just don’t teach, but they are actively involved in the development of each student. They are also involved in developing their own professional skills.

Also important to student success is the dedication and commitment of the Board of Education, parents, patrons, and every individual who plays an integral role in the growth and development of the school community’s young people. Their contributions ensure that Benton Community is a place to grow and learn. The goal of the school district is to make sure students are college and career ready as they graduate and shape them in their important role as outstanding citizens.

The most important factor that helps make Benton Community successful is the expectation that students do their best and that the school community does its best to help them. That cooperation creates an environment where everyone can succeed because of common aspirations and goals. Benton Community believes and practices its mission – to provide a “quality education for a lifetime of learning”. The core values of educational excellence, a caring environment, continuous growth, and team work provide the framework and support for our important work.

Benton Community is a place to enjoy! It’s a place that lets you get involved in things that really matter – the education of our children, the development of the community, and the quality of life. Perhaps the best way to find out about Benton Community is to talk to the people who live here. The reasons that brought them here and the reasons they stay show why Benton Community is a “place to belong”.

Dr. Pamela Ewell
Superintendent of Schools

Follow us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BentonCSD

District Website - https://www.benton.k12.ia.us/

Benton Community is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, should be directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the District Affirmative
Action Coordinator, Benton Community School District, P.O. Box 70, Van Horne, Iowa, 52346, or by telephoning 319-228-8701. Inquiries related to sex discrimination, including claims of sexual harassment
pursuant to Title IX, should be directed to Phillip Eastman, Title IX Coordinator, 100 School Drive, Norway, Iowa, 52346, (319) 227-7142, peastman@benton.k12.ia.us.

Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions, 500 W. Madison St., Suite 2000, Chicago, IL. 60661, (800) 669-4000 or TTY (800) 669-6820.
http://www.eeoc.gov/field/chicago/ or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-1004, (515) 281-4121 or 1-800-457-4416, http://www.iowa.gov/government/crc/. This inquiry or complaint to the federal office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
Further information and copies of the procedures for filing a complaint are available in the school district’s central administrative office and the administrative office in each attendance center.

The Benton Community School District has an established policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to race, color, creed, sex, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The district has an established policy of taking affirmative action in recruitment, appointment, assignment and advancement of women, minorities and disabled. The district expects the administration to know of and fully accept the equal opportunity and affirmative action policies and to make certain that no employee or applicant for employment shall suffer any form of discrimination because of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.