Fairfield announces interim superintendent Tom Rubel

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Community School District will have an interim superintendent for the next two months while Superintendent Laurie Noll is taking a leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act.

The district announced that Tom Rubel will provide superintendent support through July 14. Rubel attended Monday night’s school board meeting where he had a chance to meet the school board members as well as teachers, staff members and parents in the district. His first day in the office was Tuesday, May 16.

Rubel lives in Ottumwa, and has worked in education for 51 years, including serving as a superintendent for Ottumwa Community School District and six years as the superintendent in Centerville. He was Indian Hills Community College’s Executive Dean of Regional Economic Advancement, where he promoted the school’s career and technical programs with businesses in IHCC’s footprint. Before becoming a superintendent, Rubel worked as a coach, teacher and principal at the middle and high school levels.

Rubel was hired by Great Prairie Area Education Agency to provide Fairfield with superintendent support during Noll’s absence. Cindy Yelick, Great Prairie AEA Chief Administrator said she is excited to have Rubel bring his expertise to the Fairfield Community School District.

"His knowledge and experience in education will be invaluable in ensuring that the district continues to provide quality education and support to students, staff, and families," Yelick said.

Rubel said he has committed to working at least three days a week, or possibly four if the workload demands it, in the school’s central office. He said he will help as much as he can to complete the tasks that arise at the end of every school year, such as helping with the high school graduation ceremony, filling open positions for next school year, and ensuring the budget is in order for the end of the fiscal year.

“Those are the major things we need to monitor so we can avoid any problems,” Rubel said. “My responsibility is to see that those tasks are addressed, and to support the board of education, central office staff and district personnel.”

Each building’s principal is normally responsible for hiring teachers and staff for the upcoming year, though this is often done in conjunction with a hiring committee. Rubel said he’ll be able to provide input on hiring decisions and to sit-in on interviews with candidates.

“I’ll assist whenever it’s necessary,” he said. “I just hope I can effectively serve the district so we can move forward during the next two months.”

After July 14, Rubel said he’s looking forward to “sitting in the sun” and watching his grandkids play summer sports.

Rubel can be contacted through the district office at 641-472-2655 or via email at superintendent@fairfieldsfuture.org.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com