In less than five months, Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center Schools will be welcoming a new superintendent to lead the two districts following Superintendent Steve Smith’s retirement.

Current Clay Central Everly Superintendent and Elementary Principal Dennis McClain was announced on January 28th as ACGC’s hire, and McClain says he and his family are excited to join the districts and take part in community groups. McClain grew up in the Dubuque area and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education and health, a Master’s degree in educational leadership and administration, and an Advanced Studies Certificate in superintendency. He’s also working on his doctorate degree in educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa.

McClain shares what attracted him to ACGC, “Well they had great school data, student achievement data, and good programming as far as educational opportunities. And my wife and I wanted a small school for our children, so (it) kind of checked off a lot of boxes for things we were looking for in districts that we wanted to work with.”

McClain says his family would like to live on an acreage somewhere in the district as they raise sheep. He and his wife Donna have three children, with the eldest a freshman at Iowa State University, and two others who will be enrolling at ACGC next fall. McClain and Smith will be collaborating for the remainder of the school year to ensure a smooth transition for everyone before McClain assumes duties on July 1st.