Crozier will look good in purple

Bittersweet.
That’s the overwhelming sense of emotion that sat in the boardroom on the Central Lee campus Thursday night.
Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier produced an agenda for the meeting that included his official resignation after 10 years leading the district. The board, in what was really a nod to Crozier’s leadership, hesitated in making a motion to accept the resignation. They didn’t need to say they hated to see him go, but the gesture certainly said they hated to see him go. Then after a few glances and some chuckles, board member Matt Doty made a motion to accept Crozier’s resignation, another sign of respect for what the Central Lee grad had done for the district.
This is still a young man with 15 years experience as a superintendent. He started as an elementary teacher and coach, Crozier then was named AD at Louisa-Muscatine before taking a post with Grant Wood AEA. At 28, he became the youngest superintendent in the state at Andrew Community School District. He came back home following a stint as a shared superintendent at Andrew and Easton Valley.
Now he will lead arguably the most dynamic school district in the state, and Iowa’s third-largest district.
We caught wind of Crozier’s interest in Waukee early last week, but waited for an official statement that he was a finalist. In a phone call last week with Crozier, I was traveling at the time and had to pull over so I could write down some notes for a story.
When he confirmed he was a finalist, I simply said, “You’re gonna get that job, Andy.”
“They’d be absolutely crazy not to hire you.”
Crozier is a humble dude and we are acquaintenances. We’ve played golf in a foursome one time, but my analysis was based solely on who Andy is, and what he does.
His affinity for the Cyclones and the Bears is a tremendous waste of his time, but other than that, it’s hard to ding his character.
As we watched the Lee County Economic Development Group under Dennis Fraise put together the Lee County Career Advantage Center, Crozier was a wind of dissent and pushed against the prevailing energy. Progress for the sake of progress is admirable but it must have a foundation and direction. Crozier wasn’t convinced it was best for Central Lee and made it known.
The project moved forward with the dissent noted, but what was also noted was the ferocious loyalty and commitment to the educational future of Central Lee district families and their students.
Crozier ushered in a $13 million campus renovation with the support of voters in the district and has the district positioned well with modern facilities, new energy around all extra-curriculars, strong financial health, and a legacy that, he wrote in his resignation letter, rests solidly with the people of the district.
In a personal note, Andy and I have a mutual respect for each other because we’ve grown to admire each others commitment to our craft. One of the things that always stood out to me is Andy’s presence in the moment. At a recent state track meet, Central Lee had one participant that day and it was Tommy Eschman jumping in the long jump. I was down on the field and ran into Andy. He was right there watching and then had a moment with Eschman after the event. Not sure how many superintendents make that trip. Granted, Andy’s on the IHSAA Board of Control so he has special access, but he made the trip. He was also there when the boys went to the state golf meet last year.
When there was news out of the district that wasn’t the most favorable, like a disturbed man who entered the district with the student body one morning and found himself a chair in a classroom, Andy didn’t duck. He was accessible and answered tough questions until I was done asking them.
No one operates on a plane of perfection and we all move one way or another based on beliefs and values, but he's in a bigger fishbowl now. As one board member said Thursday, “it’s not Pen City Current anymore sitting over there, it’s the Des Moines Register”… well, when the root is strong, the tree grows tall.
Crozier’s departure means that someone else will be coming in to carry the mantle. The board, in a modicum of respect to Crozier, who for the first time I can remember at a board meeting wasn’t in Hawk black and gold, said they wanted someone better than Andy. He didn’t blink. He knew they were acknowledging his body of work and, at the same time, showing him they’re not going to rest – all a tip of the hat to the past 10 years of combined leadership.
Good Bye, Dr. Crozier. We’ll miss you ’round here.
You have the answers for the test... you're just waiting for the questions.
And this makes me smile a little. I’m pretty sure Waukee’s colors are purple. You’ll look great in purple, Andy. If you need some purple gear, I know where you can get some – But that’s Beside the Point.
Chuck Vandenberg is editor and co-owner of Pen City Current and can be reached at Charles.V@PenCityCurrent.com.