Devin Embray To Step Down As Glenwood Superintendent

Dr. Devin Embray has resigned as Superintendent of the Glenwood Community Schools.

Embray, who has served as the district’s leader for 14 years, submitted his resignation to the Glenwood Board of Education at Monday’s special meeting and the board accepted it.
                

“It felt like the right time,” said Embray of his resignation. “Fourteen years is a long time. We’ve done some great things as a district. I just felt like it was time for new leadership to take the district to the next level and for me to step aside and allow that to happen.

“It’s not about wearing out your welcome. It’s about starting a new chapter.”

Embray’s resignation came at the conclusion of what became a contentious meeting. Prior to the board’s special meeting, a public hearing was held to discuss the district’s proposed property tax levy. Both the hearing and the meeting featured comments from a packed gallery, many of them voicing displeasure with both the board’s consideration of a $5 million revenue bond and proposed tax hike in the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget.

The district has also faced two high profile rejections in the last year. Voters last November voted down a proposed $40 million bond issue to remodel Northeast Elementary School and make other improvements within the district and earlier this month the voters said no to a Revenue Purpose Statement that would have extended the district’s use of Secure and Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) funds for 20 years.

But Embray denied those no votes, Monday’s meeting or the comments from the public forum, some of which were directed at him, factored in his decision. He also denied he was being forced out of his position.

He did say the resignation was long time coming. He had been considering retirement since last fall. In the last year Embray was also finalist for superintendent jobs in both Nebraska and Iowa.

Embray said his resignation would likely turn the page on his more than three-decade career in education. Twenty-one of those years he has spent as a superintendent, 14 in Glenwood and seven years prior at the Independence Community Schools.

He’s uncertain what the future holds but Embray does consider his resignation a retirement, at least from education.

“I’ll look at other avenues and pursue that,” he said. “I’ve never done this before in terms of retiring and looking for a new job. I’ve only ever known school administration. So, who knows what my skill set fits. We’ve had a great run in Glenwood. And I feel like we’ve done great things in a great school system.”

With three decades of service, Embray is fully vested in his Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) pension. He said his immediate plans include travel and spending time with family. But he plans to pursue work in the private sector.

“Being a public servant for 33 years is a long time. I’m looking to do something new," he said. "I wish Glenwood nothing but the best. I hope they get a really great person in here to replace me and take that district to the next level.”

Embray’s last day in the position will be June 30.

The Glenwood Community School District has already begun advertising for the position.

Embray has no doubt the candidate pool will be deep and talented.

“Glenwood is one of the best school districts in western Iowa,” he said. “They will hire a great superintendent.”