By MARK NEWMAN Courier staff writer
May 14, 2008 12:28 am
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OTTUMWA — Davis Eidahl will move from Evans Middle School to McCarroll Drive.
This week, the Ottumwa school board approved Eidahl’s promotion from Evans Middle School principal to the district’s assistant superintendent position.
The new job, effective July 1, will put Eidahl in charge of human resources for the district.
HR for the school district is more of a leadership and coach position, not one of filling out forms.
“Davis’ position will [include] recruiting high-quality people, and he’s going to find ways to retain high-quality staff,” said Sue Meadows, the district’s director of instruction and curriculum. “Those two things are crucial to the growth of a district.”
Superintendent Jon Sheldahl said Eidahl has already shown he can give staff the proper tools to do their job well.
“I just think he’s exhibited strong leadership and shown strong cooperation with teachers in his building ... in understanding what types of instruction make a difference in student achievement. [That lets] people feel satisfied in their positions,” Sheldahl said.
Not only did Eidahl lead professional development to instruct teachers in research-proven teaching strategies, Sheldahl said, he found more time for kids with trouble to get help.
“[He created] more opportunities for kids to get instruction, and [made] sure the instruction they get is best,” Sheldahl added. “Kids are being required to receive more instruction if the instruction they receive is not enough.”
The result, said Meadows, has been improved student achievement in reading and math.
“[This promotion] means we’re all going to benefit from his leadership. Davis can learn something and quickly convert that into an action [plan]. All principals will be able to learn from him.”
In addition to recruitment and retention, Meadows said, HR is about coaching staff to help them reach their full potential. Eidahl also will work with employees to help get each in a position where they can really shine, she said.
Though Eidahl was away at an educational conference Tuesday, Meadows said he has the quality of being honest with himself, and with those around him.
“I think he’s a very transparent leader. He is willing to recognize the good, the bad and the ugly,” she said.
If achievement is going well, he’ll discuss it. If there are problems at school, he’ll discuss that, too, she said.
“He really confronts the data, and that’s the way you improve,” she said.
A total of five candidates from inside and outside the district were interviewed, Sheldahl said. This hiring fills a void left when Sheldahl, then the assistant superintendent, replaced Tom Rubel as the district’s chief administrator nearly two years ago.
Having Eidahl on the superintendent’s “cabinet” will bring them back to four central office leaders: Sheldahl, Meadows, Eidahl and Business Manager John Donner. As for who will take over at Evans, no decision has yet been made.
This past school year, the middle school principal salary was $86,900. Eidahl’s new salary will be about $106,000.
“It’s going to allow us to get to some areas we have not been able to pay sufficient attention to,” said Sheldahl. “Professional development across all levels, improve our relationship with the community college, expanding college credits [for high school students] and will allow me to promote the district more by allowing me to spend more time with the community and businesses.”
Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.
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