The Lone Tree Community School District School Board is pleased to announce a new District Superintendent, pending formal board approval on April 1. The School Board and Grundmeyer Leader Services Consultants conducted semifinalist screening interviews on Monday, March 22. Soon after the screening interviews, three finalists were named: John Cain, Kurt DeVore, and Rob Scott. The three finalists interviewed within the district on Monday, March 29; included were school and community tours, interviews with two mixed interview teams consisting of community members, parents, teachers, students and support staff, and an interview with the School Board.

Each person involved as a member of an interview team provided the School Board direct feedback about each of the finalists. After careful review and consideration of the feedback from the interview team members, as well as again reviewing all application materials, the School Board followed the data and chose to offer the contract to Mr. Kurt DeVore.

DeVore was very excited to verbally accept the job offer saying, “I am incredibly honored to join the Lone Tree Community School District team. My family and I felt extremely welcomed by the people we met during the day and throughout the interview process. Lone Tree Community Schools has a school and community passion which is exemplified by their teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and most importantly students. I look forward to partnering with everyone and

building upon the great things which are taking place at Lone Tree Community Schools.”

DeVore is currently serving as Director of Information, Systems, and Instructional Technology at Decorah Community Schools; he has served in that capacity the past 16 years. Previously he served as a vocal music teacher and technology director at West Hancock Community School District and as a vocal music teacher in Brownsville, Texas.

His current position is a Central Office Administrator and includes working with building principals and grade-level teams at the elementary, middle and high school levels, technology integration throughout the district, assisting PK-12 Instructional Coaches and designing/implementing 1:1 technology initiative. He also serves as part of the Administrative Cabinet, District Leadership Team, as well as assisting the Business Manager and Superintendent in managing district finances.

DeVore also was instrumental in passage of a successful $20 million bond issue at Decorah. He is very active in the community, serving as President of Rotary, Northeast Iowa Community College Board member, Chair of the Winneshiek County Board of Health, and local preschool board. DeVore earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wartburg College, his Master of Arts in Educational Technology from the University of Northern Iowa, and is scheduled to complete his Doctor of Education this winter from the University of Northern Iowa.

Board President Christina Magruder shared the following: “We are thrilled to have Mr. DeVore joining us as our next superintendent! He has a strong record of leadership and we’re excited with what he is bringing to the Lone Tree Community School District. We would also like to thank everyone who participated in the formal interviews; the feedback you provided was invaluable in assisting the Board in selecting the best fit for the Lone Tree Community School District. Please welcome Kurt and his family to the Lone Tree!”

DeVore will officially begin his duties on July 1. Between now and then, he will be involved in as many transition activities in and with Lone Tree Schools as possible.