Former Superintendent Excited to Return to Pekin

PACKWOOD – Former Pekin Superintendent Dave Harper has been rehired to take over as superintendent, after current interim superintendent Jeff Maeder retires. Harper began his education career as a teacher at Pekin back in 1998. He became the assistant secondary principal in 2008 and moved up to secondary principal in 2009. Harper left Pekin in 2010, while deployed with the Iowa National Guard. In 2014, he was hired as the Sigourney superintendent, a role that became shared with Pekin in 2016. Harper left in 2021 to begin work as the chief operations officer at the Ottumwa school district.

“I missed the interaction with staff and kids. I don’t have a lot of opportunity with that,” said Harper in an interview with the News-Review. “So, this fall, I was looking for a superintendent’s job as they were posted, and Pekin posted their job and I thought, I’ll apply and get back. I know the community, I know the district, and if, God willing, I’m selected, I’ll be pretty darn happy...I know a majority of the staff, and I’m excited to work side by side with them.”

Harper stated he wants to focus on Pekin’s budget issues, and that it will be a challenge to align resources to serve students and provide the best education environment. He also stated that issues with revolving staff members will be a challenge, and that he will have to find a way to keep good staff at Pekin and make them feel appreciated.

“I’ve always called Pekin home,” said Harper. “They gave me a start to my teaching career. We lived in the community for almost thirty years. I’m excited. I want to get back, and you know, you always want to leave a place better than you found it. I want to be able to help Pekin for the future.”