Straight focused on communication as new Tri-County Superintendent

            For the past three years, Chad Straight has called Belle Plaine home. Both of his sons play football and baseball for the Plainesmen, his daughter just graduated and Straight has enjoyed his time as Superintendent at the school district. Now, Straight faces a new kind of ballgame as the Shared Superintendent between Belle Plaine and Tri-County School District.

            “Everyone here is friendly,” Straight said, fresh off two weeks with his new district. “They are all very willing to work with me, excited to move forward and we’re ready to improve some things in the districts, whether it be the gym, the outside of the building or the new sign. I think everyone is looking forward to moving in a positive direction.”

            Straight grew up in Logan, were he attended Logan-Magnolia High School and played several sports for the Panthers. He attended Graceland University (then College) and received his degree in communications, also continuing his athletic career and would go on to be the editor for the school’s paper. His professional career began at South City, NE teaching middle school language arts and exploratory Spanish. As he was teaching, Straight also worked on his Masters at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE. Straight made his return to Iowa several years later when he took a high school language arts positions at Battle Creek-Ida Grove for two years, later moving back to his hometown of Logan to teach for five years. His first administrative position came as principal of Boyer Valley High School in Dunlap for nine years, followed by his current position as Belle Plaine’s Superintendent for the past three years. 

Please view the July 19 edition of The News-Review for the full story