Brett Abbotts

Abbotts hired as newest Greene County superintendent

By Brandon Hurley
Managing Editor

news@beeherald.com

@BrandonJHurely

The Greene County Community School District has found its newest superintendent.

Current Council Bluffs elementary principal Brett Abbotts was announced as the school board’s top choice following a special session Friday, April 1. Abbotts takes over for the departing Tim Christensen, who held the position for 15 years.
Abbotts is in his fifth year as principal at Roosevelt Elementary School. He earned a B.A. from Dakota Wesleyan University in elementary. He also obtained a a Masters degree in special education and teaching from Morningside. Abbots was previously an assistant principal and activities director in the AHSTW Community School District at Avoca and a teacher in the Southeast Polk Community School District in Altoona.

Abbotts was one of two finalists the Greene County board of education had narrowed its pool of 23 candidates to. He was also a final candidate for a superintendent position at Jesup Community School District in February in addition to Earlham Community Schools in January.
Abbotts was chosen for the Greene County position over Mike Van Sickle, the superintendent Louisa-Muscatine.

“The board felt that Mr. Abbots had the qualifications, the enthusiasm and had prepared himself well with great mentors and would bring sound educational and financial ideas to Greene County school district,” school board president Steve Fisher said. “These conclusions were confirmed by all of the stakeholder groups that were involved in the hiring process. Everyone felt that Mr. Abbots has great potential to lead our district into the future.”

The finalists each spent a day in the Greene County district on Tuesday, March 29, and Wednesday, March 30. They arrived at the Greene County district office at 8:15 a.m. on their designated day, toured the district’s buildings, and met with stakeholder groups, including administrators, teachers, support staff, students, and community representatives throughout the day.

The final decision was made a few days later. Abbotts will begin Greene County duties on July 1. 

The Greene County School Board retained the services of McPherson & Jacobson LLC of Omaha, NE, to help conduct the search. The consultants reviewed, screened, and conducted extensive background checks on 23 applicants.

“The search firm of McPherson and Jacobson led our superintendent search process very well. The board was very pleased with the well organized and comprehensive manner in which the search was led,” Fisher said. “The experience and contacts that they have were invaluable to assist the board. They were very professional and I think we had a great outcome.

Overall it was a very pleasant process for the board but we’re very glad it’s concluded. The board appreciates all who contributed to our successful superintendant search process.”

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