Eastern Iowa superintendent pleads not guilty to OWI

An eastern Iowa school superintendent has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

The Dubuque Telegraph-Herald reports that Jeff Corkery was arrested in Independence the night of Nov. 30. An officer checking a report of a possible drunken driver says he found Corkery in a pickup in a bar parking lot. The officer says Corkery smelled of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests.

Corkery, who lives in Peosta, is superintendent of Western Dubuque County Community School District, which is based in Farley.

In a news release from the district, Corkery disputes the police report and asks "everyone to let the judicial system take its course."

School board President Robert McCabe says he has great confidence in Corkery's ability to lead the district.