Keota Hires New Superintendent

KEOTA – During the Feb. 9 meeting of the Keota School Board, the board approved the contract for Lisa Brennaman, the high school principal and superintendent. Brennaman was born and raised in Keota. She received her teaching degree from UNI, Masters in School Counseling and principal certification from Iowa, and her superintendent specialist degree from Drake. She worked as a principal at Keota CSD from 2004-2013. For the past ten years, she has worked as an Online Learning Coordinator/Specialist at Iowa City CSD.

“I'm very excited to be back in the Keota District, as the years as Principal were some of the best of my 30 year career in education,” Brennaman said in an email to the News-Review. “I intend to continue to build on a positive culture of learning with a growth mindset for all. We will strive to acquire the resources to give ALL students a personalized education success plan, while being cognizant in making sure they don't all have the "same" plan.”

“People should feel comfortable in the school setting no matter what part they play in the District or community. I'm also a true believer that when people collectively enjoy what they do because they feel like a part of the whole, it feeds happiness and everyone benefits from the positive outcomes in some way or another. The core of my professional belief system in education, and the heart and soul of what I do, is to individualize education as much as possible; also considered "best practice" by great teachers. As leaders, it is our job to work diligently to develop and raise all teachers to a "master" level by attracting and retaining the best.”

“As I continue to build a rewarding professional life in education, it is important to me that I enjoy going to work every day. The money, prestige and power have never been factors that guide me. Therefore, the district I join must have a vision and goals that align with my personal and professional philosophy in order to be a good fit and provide rewarding challenges. Keota's focus on customized high expectations for all students aligns with my belief system and provides the opportunity to live out my vision.”

Brennaman will take over after current principal and superintendent Jim Henrich retires at the end of the school year.

The board also approved hiring Rachel Cullett as a new language arts teacher. Current language arts teacher Angela Conrad is changing to teaching computer science and TAG at Keota. Cullett currently lives in a small, remote town in Alaska. Henrich stated that Cullett is leaving Alaska to be closer to family and that she disliked Alaska because of the high cost of living, lack of sunlight, and the need for a plane ride to visit a doctor.

It was reported that a leaking valve in the elementary school forced kids to use high school bathrooms for several days. This leak, if not caught in time, could have flooded the tunnel, basketball court, kitchen, and cafeteria, creating thousands of dollars in damage. The leak has been repaired, but the school district is working to check other pipes; it was noted that one pipe was so rusted that a repairman could easily poke through it with a screwdriver. 

Nurse Cathy Thalken gave an overview of Project ADAM, a program working to train schools to respond to heart emergencies. Thalken is working to have Keota staff ready to respond to emergencies within 30 seconds or less, place ​​Automated External Defibrillators throughout the schools, and give CPR training to staff and students.

Jim Henrich discussed an anonymous survey sent out to Keota high school students regarding possibly sharing track and field with Sigourney. Of the survey, 63% of Keota students said no to sharing, with only 13 students saying that they would go out for track if it was shared with Sigourney, compared to 20-29 students saying they would if it was just Keota.