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School Board Interaction Prompts Keokuk Principal's Resignation

Outgoing Keokuk High School Principal Zach Wigle is excited for his new opportunity as Activities Director in the Solon School District. He said he's enjoyed his three years in Keokuk, but that it is no longer the best situation.

Wigle and his wife Julie, a middle school teacher, both resigned in May. In his brief resignation letter, he simply thanked the district for the opportunity.

He provided no further information about his departure, until a phone interview with Tri States Public Radio on June 22. Wigle said it was not a quick decision to resign.

“There are some things that have happened over the last 6-7 months in Keokuk that have made it difficult for me to do things the way I like to do them, so that was a big component to why we are leaving,” said Wigle.

When asked to elaborate on what happened during that time, Wigle simply said he had become disconnected from the job.

“You know, the thing that I really struggled with was the interactions that our school board had, not only internally, but with other members of our administrative team,” said Wigle. “[The school board was] really doing things that I think you know in their mind was right and the best way to do them, but for me, that was not the case.”

Wigle said the board did not force him to leave nor did he feel like he was being micro-managed. But, he said it’s probably not a coincidence that three other administrators including Director of Instructional Services Corey St. John, Hawthorne Principal Jeremy Negus and Activities Director Jayson Campbell are also leaving for jobs outside of Keokuk.

“I think there needs to be more communication ultimately as things move forward with all administrators and school boards so everyone kind of understands and knows whose role is what.”

Wigle’s departure comes just a few months after he was named Iowa High School principal of the year.

He said his new job as Solon Activities Director comes as the district near Iowa City is building a new 850-seat auditorium. He said he will be the first person to hold the position full-time.

zach_wigle_06-22.mp3
Interview w/ Zach Wigle

 

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.