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Red Oak Names Leadership Team at Red Oak High

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In a special board meeting held on Monday, June 30, the Red Oak CSD Directors named Jeff Spotts as Interim Principal and Barry Bower as Interim Assistant Principal and Activities Director for the 2014 – 2015 school year. Jeff Spotts has served in several key capacities in his previous three years of service. The first two years, he completed the assignment of assistant principal, director of activities for grades 7 -12, and served as head varsity football coach. The last school term was completed as assistant principal and director of activities. Barry Bower joined the Red Oak District one year ago as a physical education instructor and head varsity football coach. Prior to Red Oak, Mr. Bowers was a Facility/Recreation Director in Minnestrista, Minnesota, Special Education Director in Fort Mohave, Arizona, and served for three years as Assistant Principal in the River Valley High School at Mohave Valley, Arizona. Mr. Bower will continue in his role as head football coach and track coach. Each of the two professionals will begin their new duties as quickly as possible in preparation for 2014-2015 school year.

Superintendent Terry Schmidt indicated the district’s strength in its leadership ranks led to his recommendation: “Jeff Spotts has demonstrated the ability to lead; he understands the culture of the Red Oak School District; and he has exceptional skills to work as a team player. Barry Bower came to Red Oak Schools with a history of successful coaching; but more importantly, came to this school district with skills in team building – both on the field and off. We look forward to the progress these two individuals can provide in a fast approaching transition year.”

Other personnel actions were approved by the Red Oak Board of Directors on Monday evening, June 30. These included the employment of Erica Bauserman, vocal instructor at Red Oak Middle School. Ms. Bauserman is a beginning teacher and recent graduate of Northwestern College, Orange City, IA.  Emily Stout was approved to teach special education at Red Oak High. She graduated from Iowa State with a mathematics major. She has taught for the past three years at the Clarinda Academy. Mr. Michael Berthusen of Ankeny, Iowa, was approved as a secondary mathematics instructor and will also provide instruction in computer applications. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a major in mathematics. He is also completing a graduate degree in educational technology. His previous teaching experiences were in Grundy Center, Iowa and in Eddyville, Iowa. In addition, he has worked as a computer specialist with the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company of Grinnell, Iowa.