Dave Harper
According to the district’s new Executive Director of Operations and Human Resources, opportunities like this position don’t pop up every day. Dave Harper will serve in this capacity pending board approval on Monday, March 29. Harper replaces Teri King, who will retire from the district at the end of this school year.
Harper, a former Evans Middle School principal, has served as Sigourney Community School District’s superintendent since 2014. In 2016, Pekin and Sigourney created a sharing agreement for the superintendent position and he has led both districts the past five years.
“There is a lot of demand placed on a shared superintendent but it is very beneficial for both districts,” said Harper.
Harper wasn’t looking for a job but when the district posted the position, the human resources piece really intrigued him. “Personnel was part of my National Guard duties as an Executive Officer," Harper said. Harper is a 24-year army veteran, retiring from the National Guard in 2013. He has extensive experience handling logistics and operations during his military career.
The position was also attractive due to Harper’s Ottumwa connection. “My experience in Ottumwa was great,” he said. “I was fond of the people I worked with and loved the makeup of the district.”
“I see great things happening in the Ottumwa district and I want to be part of that,” he said. He also feels his experiences in human resources can benefit the organization. “I want to help take Ottumwa to the next level,” he said. “My goal is to provide great teachers and staff to building principals/directors. It is critical to find the best teachers and staff for our students.”