The Red Oak Community School District Board of Education has been working with Grundmeyer Leader Services through the hiring process for the district's next superintendent.  Earlier, a survey was made available to district stakeholders eliciting input on desired qualifications for the next superintendent.  In all, 245 people responded to the survey.  The Board reviewed results from the survey and selected the following desired qualifications:

• Is approachable, accessible, and welcoming
• Recruits, hires, and develops a strong administrative team
• Follows through on tasks and responsibilities
• Strong instructional leader
• Brings out success in others
• Demonstrates ethics and integrity
• Possesses strong communication skills
• Builds school and community relations

Overall, the district received 26 completed applications to be the next superintendent.  A breakdown of those 26 applications include the following: 1 female and 25 male; 18 had at least 2 years experience as a superintendent or assistant superintendent, 10 had at least 7 years experience, and 7 had at least 11 years experience; and 6 had terminal degrees (EdD or PhD).  There were 6 out-of-state candidates and 19 candidates currently serving around Iowa.

On Wednesday, April 1, the Board electronically met with Grundmeyer Leader Services consultants to review all 26 applications and materials.  Following that discussion, the board directed the consultants to invite six candidates to participate in electronic semifinalist screening interviews on Wednesday, April 8.  Upon completion of the semifinalist interviews, the Board will invite 2-3 finalists to interview on Wednesday, April 15 in Red Oak.  Names of finalists will be made public following semifinalist interviews and acceptance of invitations to be finalists.

Finalists interviews on Wednesday, April 15, will include a tour of community and district, an electronic interview with a mixed interview team consisting of various district stakeholders, and an interview with the Board.  At conclusion of the finalists interviews, the Board will review all input data provided by members of the mixed interview team in closed session.  The intent of the Board will be to direct Grundmeyer Leader Services to make an offer following the Board meeting.  The name of the successful candidate will be released, pending successful formal background check and official Board approval, once a verbal acceptance of the offer has been received. 

The new superintendent will officially begin his/her duties on July 1, 2020.

The Public Hearing Red Oak Community Schools FY21 Proposed Budget was rescheduled for April 13, 2020, at 7:05 p.m.  The hearing will take place electronically.  Information on how to join the meeting will be added here closer to the hearing date.  Should you wish to comment during the hearing, please email Superintendent Tom Messinger at messingert@roschools.org to be put on the list.  The Board President will then call on you.  Written comments can be sent to Superintendent Messinger or Business Manager Deb Drey at dreyd@roschools.org

Please see the links below for the Budget Presentation and the Proposed FY21 Budget

FY21 Budget Presentation

FY21 Proposed Budget

Red Oak Community Schools Central Office Closed Until Further Notice

UPDATED 3-23-2020

The Red Oak Community School District Central Office will be closed until further notice.  If you need to contact us please call 712-623-6600 or email Tammi VanMeter at: vanmetert@roschools.org

We will be checking emails and voice mails a couple times a week during the shutdown.

We ask for your cooperation in this unprecedented time in our history.  Thank you again for your patience and cooperation.

Red Oak Community School District

Press Release 3-17-2020

We at the Red Oak Community School District and Taher strive to protect our children during this trying time in the world but also want to ensure our children are fed! The district will be offering a Pickup/Drive Thru site at Inman Elementary starting Monday 3-23-2020. We will allow pickup from 7:30 am to 8:30 am and 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Monday and Thursday. Monday’s pickup will include Breakfast, Lunch and 2 snacks per day for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday’s pickup will include Breakfast, Lunch and 2 snacks per day for Thursday and Friday. We will also be sending home the backpack program bag’s on Thursday for children to have over the weekend. We will be making 200 bags for the pickup on Monday 3-23 if we were to run out of bags at our first pickup time we would then prep more for the afternoon pickup, if we were to prep too many and not get rid of them all on Monday we would then offer a pickup the following day at the same stated times and will communicate that with the public as needed. Please bear with us as we strive to meet the needs of all!! We will continue to monitor our needs and prep as much as we can. At time of pickup you will be required to give the names of the children you are picking meals up for this will ensure no duplicate meals are served. All children 18 and under can participate in this program. We too will follow all guidelines as set forth during these shutdowns. Myself and 9 of my employees will be permitted in our kitchens at a time and we will ensure all employees are not showing any signs of illness. All kitchen’s have been equipped with hygiene stations which include tissues, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and gloves. Along with these items is signage of proper hand washing and a reminder to wash hands and use hand sanitizer.

We are an equal opportunity provider.

Red Oak Community School District

Taher Inc

Mindy Riibe

MARCH 16, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE

Red Oak Community School District

Over the past 48 hours there have been multiple phone calls, electronic meetings, and state official press conferences concerning the coronavirus disease.  The recommendations and guidelines have changed over that period and there have been multiple scenarios discussed.  At this point, the Red Oak Community School District is making the following announcements:

• Attendance at school for class is cancelled until April 13, 2020
• There will be no activities (practices, contests, other events) held in any school facilities until April 13, 2020
• There will be no unauthorized personnel in the school buildings until April 13, 2020
• There will be meals prepared for pick up at Inman Elementary School starting on Monday, March 23, 2020 until April 13, 2020 (DETAILS WILL BE COMMUNICATED TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020)

These announcements are all in line with the recommendations of State Officials (Governor, Iowa Department of Education Director, and the Iowa Department of Public Health).  Any updates from these agencies will be considered.  The Red Oak Community School District will provide updates as information becomes available and decisions are made. 

There are still some details waiting to be worked out but are still being discussed with other schools and within our own district.  More information will follow on the following:

• What kind of learning opportunities will exist for the students during the downtime?
• How will the school district handle expectations for contracted staff?
• What will the schedule look like on April 13, 2020?

At this time, it is believed schools will not be required make up the hours missed from March 16, 2020 until April 13, 2020.  It is also probably we will not be taking the ISASP (state assessments) for the 2019-2020 school year. 

The Red Oak Community School District will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates to the district.  Administration offices and 12-month employees will continue to conduct their work responsibilities.  We will post the updates on the school website and through the regular media channels. 

We are currently on our scheduled spring break through the end of this week.  Offices will be closed Thursday, March 19, 2020 and Friday, March 20, 2020.

Tom Messinger, Superintendent