Community Reception Held for
Retiring Dr. Markward
A community reception honoring retiring Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent Dr. Dave Markward was held June 16 at Washington High School. The reception featured student entertainment from Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington high. The event was hosted by the District’s Board of Education and Executive Council.
Dr. Markward joined the District in July 2004. He retires on June 30, following a 38-year tenure in education. Markward began his career in the classroom as a biology teacher. He also held various positions in administration and curriculum development in Illinois before moving to Cedar Rapids. During his tenure at the Cedar Rapids Community Schools, Markward was instrumental in developing a Strategic Planning Process for the District and employing a continuous improvement philosophy based on the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Criteria. He was instrumental in the successful passage of the SILO tax in February 2007 and has been cited for his calm and sincere manner in addressing school district matters related to the June floods.
“I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the dedicated staff of the Cedar Rapids Community Schools and with such a supportive community and Board of Education,” Markward noted.