A Homecoming For New Cedar Rapids School District Superintendent

A special meeting by the Cedar Rapids School District Wednesday evening finally answered the question of who will take over the Superintendent's position, as Dr. Dave Benson retires and the end of the year. The answer is someone with a familiar face, not only in Cedar Rapids, but also in the Iowa Education System.

That person is Dr. Brad Buck.

Dr. Buck is a 1987 graduate of Jefferson High School, and is Iowa educated through and through, having completed his undergraduate degree at University of Northern Iowa, then earning both his Masters and Ph.D. at Iowa State. He currently is the Director of the Iowa Department of Education, having been appointed to the position by Governor Branstad in 2013. Dr. Buck is a past president of the School Administrators of Iowa and the Iowa Association for Middle Level Educators. He is also a member of the Healthiest State Initiative Committee; the Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Advisory Council Executive Committee; and the Iowa Core Commission.

“We are thrilled to welcome someone of Dr. Buck’s caliber as our superintendent. He brings a breadth of leadership experience in many areas such as early literacy, closing the achievement gap, and competency-based education. He is also well-versed in school finance and budgeting. He most closely matched the list of skills and attributes that our community members highlighted during the public forums and through the online input survey. He is truly a wonderful fit!”
~ Mary Meisterling, Board President.

Buck, 45, is already familiar with the school district having grown up in Cedar Rapids. He and his wife Traci have 6 children. They are celebrating their 21st Anniversary today.

"As a native of Cedar Rapids and a proud graduate of Jefferson High School, I’m thrilled to return to my hometown in this role,” said Buck. It’s clear to me that this is a school district that is committed to innovation and a vision of “Excellence for All,” and I stand ready to be an integral part of delivering on that vision.”
~Dr. Brad Buck