Linn-Mar Superintendent Shannon Bisgard to retire

MARION — Linn-Mar Superintendent Shannon Bisgard is retiring at the end of the 2022-23 school year, ending his contract with the district two years early.

“Ending my career positively in a place that’s meant so much to me would be a personal highlight for me,” said Bisgard, 54, who has been an educator in the Linn-Mar district for 20 years. He said there is no particular reason he’s retiring now, except that it “felt like the right time for me personally and the right time for the district.”

The school board approved Bisgard’s retirement Monday. Separation terms include the district paying Bisgard $35,000 over two years with no benefits. The board approved a three-year contract with Bisgard in June. It would expire June 30, 2025.

After navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and derecho, which damaged school buildings when hurricane-force winds hit Eastern Iowa on Aug. 10, 2020, Bisgard said the district is now in “a really good spot” that makes it “very attractive” for a new superintendent to step in.

“The timing is right to take Linn-Mar to the next step,” Bisgard said. “This is a special place, and I’ve worked here for a long time, and I love this place.”

The school board has not made a final decision on the process to hire a new superintendent, Bisgard said. However, they will put together an “active, thorough” search process, he said.

There is a lot Bisgard wants to accomplish before he retires, including a strategic plan and “tightening” a five-year facility plan. Putting these in place will prepare the district for a new leader, he said.

Earlier this year, Bisgard unveiled plans for a five-year facility plan for the district. Projects include construction of a new administration building, a larger performance venue and an indoor athletic center. The district is not planning to pursue a bond issue or raise taxes to pay for any of the projects.

In October, the district held a State of the District Address to kick off the new strategic planning process. Linn-Mar has been hosting community conversations and asking parents and community members to participate in surveys to guide and update the strategic plan.

The district’s strategic plan was last updated and approved by the school board in September 2019.

Bisgard has been an educator for more than 30 years. He spent 20 of those years in the Linn-Mar Community School District where he served as principal for Bowman Woods and Linn Grove elementary schools. He was named associate superintendent of the district in 2015, and superintendent in 2018.

Cedar Rapids searching for new superintendent

The Cedar Rapids Community School District also is undergoing a search process for a new superintendent, who could be announced as early as January.

The school board approved the appointment of interim Superintendent Art Sathoff in November through June 30, 2023. Former Superintendent Noreen Bush died Oct. 23. She was diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago.

The board in October selected an Illinois firm — Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates — to identify candidates to become the next superintendent of the state’s second largest school district.

A profile of desired characteristics in a superintendent was presented to the Cedar Rapids school board last month. Educators and residents want to see the next superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District be someone with experience in leading a diverse school district, be good at relationship building and have a proven track record of student achievement.

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