Grundy Center School Board Names Finalists for Next District Superintendent

March 11, 2025

GRUNDY CENTER, IA — The Grundy Center Community School District Board of Education has announced three finalists in its search for the district’s next superintendent following a comprehensive review process with staff at Grundmeyer Leader Services. The finalists are Dr. Ann Lebo, Derek Philips, and Bruce Snodgrass. 

Dr. Lebo is the current community services bureau chief for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, where she focuses on the strategic realignment of early intervention and support programs within the Division of Family Well-Being and Protection. Before that, she was director of the Iowa Department of Education, the highest ranking state official appointed by the governor. She has also served as executive director of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and chief talent officer with the Council of Chief State School Officers.

As principal of Davis County High School in Bloomfield, Philips leads a staff of 55 people and 380 students across grades 9-12. There, he created and implemented a walkthrough form that provides instant feedback to teachers, and also collaborated with building leaders to establish professional development opportunities. Philips previously served as superintendent of Pekin CSD, principal of Columbus Elementary School in Chariton, and associate principal of Liberty Elementary School in Ottumwa. 

Snodgrass serves as the 6th-12th grade principal of West Burlington Junior/Senior High School, where he developed the implementation plan for the Iowa Core Leadership program, served as co-chair of a Special Education Delivery Plan Committee, and created the Falcons SOAR PBIS program. He also was the lead administrator for curriculum realignment and vertical articulation, and managed the building’s budget. Before becoming a school administrator, he was a social studies teacher in Knoxville, Iowa, and Platte City, Missouri.

As a next step, the board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct formal interviews with each finalist on Wed, March 12. A final decision is expected to be reached soon after the formal interviews.The next superintendent will begin leading the Grundy Center Community School District effective July 1, 2025.###