Linn-Mar administrator is superintendent of the year

CEDAR RAPIDS - The statewide school administrator's union has named Linn-Mar Superintendent Katie Mulholland as its 2011-2012 superintendent of the year.

School Administrators of Iowa announced Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, that it was awarding the honor to Mulholland for her leadership in promoting a favorable school environment.

Mulholland, who has been with the Linn-Mar School District since 2003, credited Linn-Mar's medium size, relative to other districts in the state, and ability to pursue small-scale innovations as precursors to her achieving this honor.

"We have the ability to be able to try things and have some success with them, which gives us unique kinds of things that we address," Mulholland said.

Prior to Linn-Mar, Mulholland served as an assistant superintendent in the Naperville, Ill., school district. She has a bachelor's degree in art education, a master's in special education and a doctorate in educational administration, all from the University of Northern Iowa. She was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad to serve a six year term on the Iowa Board of Regents in May 2011.

She will receive the award at SAI's annual banquet next August, and also is now eligible to receive the National Superintendent of the Year award from the American Association of School Administrators.