Kruse introduced as O-M’s new superintendent

Orient-Macksburg will welcome a new superintendent to the district Nov. 1. Jeff Kruse, retired from East Sac County, was introduced at the school board’s Tuesday, Oct. 10 meeting.

Kruse told the newspaper he knew he didn’t want to be done professionally when he retired, he just wanted to work part-time moving forward.

“When I began planning for retirement, I knew I wasn’t finished working as a servant leader,” Kruse said. That led to a conversation with former O-M superintendent Shawn Holloway, who was leaving for Norwalk at the time. “Following a meeting with the board, I was excited to sign a contract with the O-M district in September to begin service starting in November because of IPERS rules requiring me to have a bona fide retirement.”

Kruse has served 28 years as a superintendent at various rural school districts in west central Iowa. For 20 years, he was a shared superintendent. Previous employers have included East Sac County, South Central Calhoun, Irwin-Kirkman-Manilla and Cumberland and Massena. He obtained his specialist degree from Drake University with his undergraduate and Masters programs earned at Northwest Missouri State University.

“My expertise in the past has helped school districts that are struggling with enrollment and finances to find a path that allows the district to continue meeting the educational needs of students,” Kruse said. “Orient-Macksburg will have some important decisions to make impacting students, staff and the community, as my plan is developed and implemented.”

Kruse plans to spend one day each week in the district with the remainder of his work week being at home, since he lives over 100 miles from Orient-Macksburg.

“My goal moving forward is to provide support from my experiences as a leader to the district to allow the district to make a decision based on factual data,” Kruse said. “The ultimate goal is to continue to offer quality programming for students.”

Kruse will replace Beau Jacobsen, who has been serving as O-M’s interim superintendent since Holloway departed the district. Jacobsen is also a Field Director for Green Hills AEA, which is based and has an office in Creston.