Highland, WACO switch to new leadership

RIVERSIDE — As Highland and WACO’s shared superintendent Ken Crawford retires, a new face is stepping in to fill his role: Spencer Lueders.

Lueders — a former principal at Maquoketa then Central DeWitt from 2021-25 and an elementary teacher at other districts from 2014-21 — said he was eager to take on the top administrative position spanning two Southeast Iowa school districts.

With his own high school graduating class totaling 56 students, Lueders said he was especially enthusiastic about close-knit districts like WACO and Highland.

“You just cannot replicate growing up through a small, rural school system, there’s something very special about it, a lot of pride goes into the community,” he said. “That’s something that drew me to Highland and WACO right away, and it’s something I want for my kids, too.”

Lueders’ contracts in Southeast Iowa began July 1, but he said he began meeting with Crawford several months ahead of time to prepare for the new gig, balancing the involved learning process with his duties back in DeWitt, a roughly 90-minute drive away.

“I’m extremely fortunate to be hired as early as I was,” he said. “I know quite a few superintendents who are just jumping into it July 1, and just how much information I have about the districts I’m going into is far greater than a lot of other districts. Sometimes you hear about nightmare scenarios. This is not one of those.”

Crawford, the outgoing superintendent, said that training period had both helped Lueders get his bearings, and helped acclimate school district staff to the incoming administrator.

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“There’s important things to know, versus sitting, at five in the morning, on a snow day, wondering what to do. That’s really hard,” Crawford said. “He needs to have a grip, and then I’m talking to the people that are going to help him saying, ‘Here’s what you need to do to help him.’ It’s not that easy your first year or two … and you’ll need a team.”

Aside from a new leadership style, Lueders will bring another change to the two school districts: his time will be split between them 50-50.

Since becoming a joint superintendent for WACO and Highland in 2021, Crawford has typically allocated one day a week to the former district, and the rest to the latter. Lueders, however, plans to split his time more evenly as he gets acquainted with each set of schools.

It’s a daunting prospect, to say the least. Most first-time superintendents have enough on their plate at a single school district.

“Obviously, it’s a juggling act,” Lueders said. “You can’t be everywhere all at one time … and there’s some anxieties that come with every job transition, but for me, I’ll be leaning on the great people we have in both districts. And to know that I’m not in this alone is a big component, too.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com