Dr. Richard Christie

After 18 years of dedicated service as superintendent of the Council Bluffs Community School District, Dr. Richard Christie announced his retirement in May. Dr. Christie has accepted the position of director of the Career Visions Academy. The academies will offer students classroom teachings and hands-on experience in pre-engineering, information technology and health technology. Dr. Christie will be working with school districts in Pottawattamie, Harrison, Page, Cass, Fremont and Mills counties in a joint relationship between the districts, AEA 13 and IWCC.

On August 14, Dr. John Keegan of Deer Mountain, Utah, started work with the Council Bluffs Community School District as the interim superintendent. Dr. Keegan’s career in education spanned from 1966 to 2004, when he retired as superintendent of the Sioux Falls, S.D. School District.

Dr. Keegan’s contract is for one year or until a permanent superintendent can be found. As long as Dr. Keegan is with the district, he intends to concentrate on several areas – one of which is the district’s graduation rates.

The Board of Education is conducting a national search to replace Dr. Christie.

Arsonist Destroys Crescent Elementary

Before (above) and after (below) Photo Courtesy The Daily Nonpareil

On Saturday, July 22nd, an arsonist set fire to the Crescent Elementary, decimating the school. At the time of the fire Crescent Elementary served approximately 115 children from Crescent.

The Council Bluffs School Board has decided that the most economical option for the 2006-2007 school year is to host the Crescent students and teachers at Washington Elementary in Council Bluffs.

Crescent parents received good news at the board of education meeting on August 22, when it was announced that Crescent Elementary School will be repaired and improved upon.