Glenwood School Board Names 3 Finalists for Next District Superintendent

November 22, 2024

GLENWOOD, IA — The Glenwood Community School District Board of Education would like to provide
an update on the superintendent hiring process. The board recently met with staff at Grundmeyer
Leader Services to review the candidate pool and has announced three finalists in its search for the
district’s next superintendent.
The three finalists are Brad Baker, Nicole Kooiker, and Anthony Ryan.
Baker currently serves as superintendent of the Chariton CSD, where he has provided instructional
leadership for a team of 205 staff members. Additionally, Baker has established a district leadership
team focused on improving student achievement and guiding professional development for staff. He
holds an education specialist degree with an emphasis in superintendency and has 21 years of
experience as a principal at both the elementary and secondary levels. Prior to his current role, Baker
served as middle school principal in the Creston CSD.
Currently, Kooiker serves as the interim superintendent of Glenwood CSD, where she has led initiatives
in innovative programming, facility planning, budget allocation, and enhancing student learning
outcomes. Additionally, she is a member of the Mills County Economic Development Board, Mills
County YMCA Board, and Glenwood Rotary. Kooiker is pursuing a doctoral degree in education from
the University of Iowa and holds an education specialist degree in educational leadership from the
University of Northern Iowa. She previously served as deputy superintendent/administrator in the Cedar
Rapids CSD, as superintendent in the Ottumwa CSD, and as superintendent in the West Marshall
CSD.
As superintendent in the East Marshall CSD, Ryan has helped reverse a multi-year downward trend in
the district’s unspent authorized carryover budget, shifting it to a stabilized upward trend while
maintaining a supportive academic environment. He has also supported the district’s Teacher Learning
Communities (TLC) and previously served as the district’s special education director. Ryan holds an
education specialist degree from Drake University and is certified as a PK-12 Superintendent and AEA
Administrator in Iowa. He previously served as superintendent of the Centerville CSD.
As a next step, the board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with each of the
three finalists on Monday, December 2. The board then plans to discuss the candidates and reach a
final decision soon after the formal interviews.
The next superintendent will begin leading the Glenwood Community School District effective July 1,
2025.

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