Colfax-Mingo CSD hires next superintendent

The Colfax-Mingo Community School District has made a decision on its next superintendent.

Erik Anderson, high school principal for Cedar Rapids Prairie in the College Community School District, was selected by board members in a special meeting Feb. 28. The board promptly offered Anderson the position, and he accepted, according to current superintendent Jim Verlengia.

“I am really excited to join the Colfax-Mingo Community School District as its next superintendent. Colfax-Mingo has an outstanding district, and I look forward to providing unified leadership focused on helping all students thrive,” Anderson said in a press release.

The two other finalists for the position were Pamela Ewell, superintendent of Van Buren Community School District and shared superintendent for Harmony Community School District, and Thomas Messinger, superintendent for Red Oak Community School District.

Interviews for the final three candidates took place Feb. 25-27, with representatives of the C-M student body, staff members, community members and administrators.

Ultimately, Verlengia said they went with Anderson because of his experience and similar goals with the C-M school district.

“I think all of the people who were involved in the interview process had a very, very high number of compliments about his paperwork and his reputation at College Community,” Verlengia said. “All in all, he was a really good candidate for all of the right reasons. We believe, through his comments, he’ll be the next one to take them the step in the transition of the district.”

Board members, including president Patrick Utz, are also looking forward to seeing what Anderson can do.

“We are extremely delighted that Mr. Anderson has emerged as the top candidate in a competitive search process that drew qualified applicants from Iowa and other states,” Utz said in a press release. “We have great things happening at Colfax-Mingo and want to continue to build on all of the progress we are making. After the extensive interview process, finalized with feedback from the formal interviews from our C-M stakeholders, we are confident Mr. Anderson has the experience and knowledge to guide Colfax-Mingo into the future.”

During a January board meeting, it was noted 30 applicants express interest while 20 completed and submitted applications. The board began reviewing those applications Jan. 30. The board also hired the assistance of Ray and Associates, Inc., a professional firm that specializes in searches for school executive leadership based out of Cedar Rapids, to assist them with the search. Its representative, Dave Monroe, has met with and surveyed Colfax community members involved in the search and made a flyer promoting the position.

Top traits for the position included excellent people skills, a positive attitude, proven experience and goal-setting abilities.

The board agreed to advertise an annual salary of approximately $140,000 for the position, and the term will be for at least two years.

Contact Orrin Shawl at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or oshawl@newtondailynews.com