Dinger gives abrupt retirement notice

KEOKUK, Iowa - At the beginning of the Keokuk School Board annual retreat, which was scheduled as an annual work session on Saturday, June 27, the Keokuk Community School District Superintendent Dr. Kathy Dinger read a statement that announced her retirement at the conclusion of her current contract.
Dinger explained the focus of the school board, district and the community should always be on the students and teachers in the district. In an effort to help put the focus back onto educating Keokuk’s children, Dinger made the personal decision to end her lifelong career in education at the end of her contract, which is on June 30, 2026.
During Dinger’s tenure as superintendent with the support and hard work of the administration and entire district staff, the district has shown marked improvements, which included receiving multiple grants, completion of the field and track renovation at the historic Calvert Stadium, consolidation of school buildings to lower maintenance costs and right-size the district in reflection of the declining population of Keokuk, streamlined instructional resources and the curriculum along with policies and handbooks district-wide, advanced communication in to the public via an extensive social media plan and added a communication app for families, as well as the district has shown improved staff retention overall. The past three years have also seen an increase in programs for students, including but not limited to, building trades and agriculture at the high school and middle schools, work-based learning, FFA, and E-Sports.
The board will hold a search for an interim superintendent and Dr. Dinger has offered to aid in that transition. 

Following Dinger’s announcement and the Board’s acceptance, progress in forming a School Advisory Committee was discussed. The School Advisory Committee idea was formed to gather increased feedback from the school community. While only four community members volunteered, the Board will move forward with plans to establish regular meetings.
In yet another effort to gather information to drive improvement, exit interviews were offered to all staff leaving the district. Themes that emerged from those interviews were discussed. Also, facilities were a topic of discussion at the work session. The Community Health Center was originally purchased with federal ESSER funds and intended as a new pre-school. Renovation costs exceeded expectations and would impact the District’s tax rate. The Board is exploring selling or leasing the property.
Calvert Stadium, in need of additional improvements, will see new bleacher seating in the lower section and improved safety along the upper section of seats. These improvements will come by using remaining dollars from the track and field project. Safe and secure entrances, long a priority of the district and community, were also touched upon and will be revisited after the completion of current building projects, which include a new HVAC system at George Washington Elementary and updated student bathrooms.
The building for Torrence Preschool will officially close this summer, as the preschool has moved to George Washington. The public is invited to a final walk through from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30.