Benson Named Superintendent
Dr. Dave Benson has been selected as the district's next superintendent replacing Dr. Dave Markward who will retire at the end of June 2009.
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The Board of Education has named Dr. David L. Benson Superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community Schools. Benson will join the District on July 1, 2009. Current Superintendent, Dr. Dave Markward, will retire at the end of June, after five years with the District.
Benson is currently in his fifth year as Superintendent in the Ladue School District in St. Louis, Missouri. He previously served for 17 years as superintendent in school districts in Kansas and Iowa.
“Dr. Benson possesses over 20 years of superintendent experience, a proven track record and a wealth of knowledge about education,” said Melissa Kiliper-Ernst, Board President. “He believes in a collaborative leadership style and in the power of community involvement. Most importantly, however, he believes that everything that is done in a school district should relate back to the academic achievement of our students.”
Benson earned his B.S. ED. and M.S. degrees from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS; an Ed. S. in school administration from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS; and a Ph.D in educational administration and Foundations from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.
"I look forward to joining the outstanding team of faculty and staff at Cedar Rapids Community Schools in providing educational services to the students and community,” Dr. Benson noted. “I have had the privilege to serve in several outstanding communities as a Superintendent. I have learned a great deal from each of these experiences. I will work diligently to serve the interest of the Board, students, faculty, staff, and community."