Mount Vernon Superintendent Greg Batenhorst to retire

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon schools Superintendent Greg Batenhorst is retiring at the end of the 2023-24 school year, ending his contract with the district a year early after almost 40 years in education.

“In announcing my intentions now, I wanted to give the district plenty of time to find a suitable replacement who will have the honor of leading the district forward,” said Batenhorst, 61, in a message to families Tuesday morning.

Under Batenhorst’s leadership, the district began a 20-year vision in 2017. Residents approved a $12.8 million general obligation bond referendum to build a new performing arts center — which opened in spring 2020 — add a two-classroom addition and secure entry to the middle school and two-classroom addition to Washington Elementary School.

A new activities complex also is being built next to Mount Vernon High School and will give the Mustangs — the school’s mascot — a place to call home after years of hosting games at Cornell College and practicing on non-regulation fields.

The $5.7 million project is being financed with a combination of $2.5 million in donations, $1 million in Physical Plant and Equipment Levy funds and a $3 million Physical Plant and Equipment Levy loan.

Mount Vernon schools’ tagline is “Excellence in academics, arts and athletics.” Batenhorst said he believes the district embodies that.

After being offered the job of Mount Vernon superintendent, Batenhorst said he was walking through the high school with Principal Steve Brand and mentioned how impressed he was by the banners, trophies and memorabilia showcasing the schools’ accomplishments.

Brand “nonchalantly said, ‘We’re pretty much good at everything,’” Batenhorst recalled in an interview with The Gazette.

“This is a phenomenal place,” Batenhorst said. “Right now, I would put what’s happening in this school district up against any school district in Iowa as far as things we’ve achieved. I just try to stay out of the way.”

Batenhorst said the district has “raised the bar academically.” He attributes this to the teachers’ dedication to professional learning, revising their practices and keeping social and emotional learning at the “heart” of what they do.

“This has been the most rewarding part of my 40 years in education,” Batenhorst said. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to lead and be superintendent. It’s because of the people.”

Batenhorst said he will work with the school board this summer and fall to help determine the next steps in selecting a new superintendent, including surveying the community to determine the characteristics they are looking for in the district’s next leader.

Batenhorst has been leading Mount Vernon schools since the 2017-18 school year. His current salary is $198,245 with an additional $18,948 in benefits.

Batenhorst said he is looking forward to retirement. He has plans to move back to his hometown in Nebraska to be closer to family and mentor future educators “so they don’t make the same stupid mistakes I made on a regular basis,” Batenhorst said.

He also is looking forward to no longer being responsible for making decisions about snow days, his distaste for which is a “running joke between me and the community,” he said.

“Let me also state one other thing loud and clear: By this time next year, I am done making weather calls,” he said in his message to families.

Before Mount Vernon, Batenhorst spent 34 years working as an assistant superintendent, middle school principal, mental health therapist, counselor, coach and teacher. Originally from North Platte, Neb., he received undergraduate and master's degrees from Creighton University and a doctorate from St. Louis University.

His wife of 30 years, Mary Lou, also is a lifelong educator.

Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com