New Mount Vernon superintendent emphasizing face time, feedback

MOUNT VERNON - Dozens of choir students at Mount Vernon High School warmed up their voices Wednesday morning, changing pitch and enunciation as student teacher Brandon Waring listened and critiqued.

Watching from the side of the classroom was the district's first-year superintendent, Greg Batenhorst, crafting feedback of his own - for the teacher.

'The only way that we as individuals grow, whether we're superintendents, teachers, students, is just that constant feedback,” said Batenhorst, 55. 'And what we do with that feedback.”

Since joining the district in July, Batenhorst said he's prioritized being present and visible in the 1,400-student district's three schools.

By the end of the third day of school, he said, he had been to all the district's classrooms. He's made it a point to spend a few hours each day visiting classrooms - and then emailing the teachers with questions, suggestions and compliments.

'If I'm not in the culture and in the classroom and at the ballgames, I can't know how to run the district,” he said.

After popping into the choir class and then a culinary arts room on Wednesday, Batenhorst ducked into a sophomore English class, where Tom Stephens and his students were discussing 'Julius Caesar.”

Stephens said feedback he's received from Batenhorst has made him feel supported by the administration.

'This is my tenth year here, and this is the most visible I have seen a superintendent,” Stephens said.

When searching for a superintendent to succeed Gary O'Malley, who announced his retirement in December, school board president Sherry Grunder said the board wanted someone who would drive the district ahead.

'O'Malley came in and smoothed things over and gave us a nice sense of calm,” said Grunder, noting there was division within the district before O'Malley's hiring in 2013. 'We wanted someone who would take that nice, calm time and push us forward.”

Thus far, Grunder said the board is very pleased with Batenhorst, who is paid a base salary of $170,000.

Chris Nosbisch, the Mount Vernon city administrator, also praised the superintendent, who joined the district with multiple joint ventures between the district and city underway.

'Usually when that happens, a lot of momentum can get lost,” Nosbisch said. 'Thankfully, in this situation, we haven't slowed down one bit.”

Maintaining communication between the city and district can be crucial, Nosbisch said, as both entities brace for population growth. Between two new residential subdivisions, as many as 260 families could soon move to Mount Vernon, Nosbisch said, and growth is expected to continue over the next decade.

'In my dealings, I've dealt with open superintendents, and I've dealt with closed superintendents,” City Administrator Nosbisch said. 'And it's difficult when superintendents kind of close their borders. It really presents a bad image to the community. In this instance, we had a very open superintendent leave and a very open superintendent come in.”

To prepare the school district for enrollment growth, Batenhorst said he is developing a long-term, 20-year facilities plan for the district.

'If you think 20 years, that's 2037-38, and I'll be long gone as a superintendent by then,” said Batenhorst, who plans to stay in his current role for five to 10 years. 'But kindergartners who are starting this year are the Class of 2032. If we took our newest kids, what would their experience look like, as we look to make changes?”

Major facilities changes would require a bond vote as early as April or September 2018, he said.

A $15.9 million bond issue failed in the district in September 2016. Batenhorst said there was a disconnect then between the district's and the community's priorities. If the district puts another bond issue to voters, Batenhorst said he hopes to work closely with the community in its development.

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.

l Comments: (319) 398-8330; molly.duffy@thegazette.com