Pekin boasts four new administrators

PACKWOOD — Students in the Pekin Community School District will see a number of new faces when they return to the classroom on Aug. 24.

Pekin not only has 10 new teachers in the district, but also four new administrators. Each of these administrators are also in their first year in their role, and they all hope to bring a fresh perspective to the job. All four are either from Southeast Iowa or previously taught at a neighboring school district, so they feel right at home at Pekin.

Derek Philips, a graduate of Van Buren High School, is the school’s new superintendent. Joining him in the central office is the new dean of students and activities director Alex Rebling, who previously taught at Pekin for four years before his most recent assignment with the Fairfield School District, where he also coached junior high baseball.

The district has two new principals as well. Shawn Dorman will be in charge of grades 7-12. Before taking this job, Dorman taught in the Fairfield High School from 2014-2022.

Jenny Bell will be in charge of grades preschool through sixth. She grew up in Sigourney, and taught in the Sigourney School District for 17 years.

Philips said he and the other three administrators want to answer three questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How do we get there?

“We’re all willing to learn,” he said. “We have no preconceived notions.”

Philips said the group of administrators are not planning to make any sweeping changes in their first year. He said their main focus will be on improving communication with parents.

“If you don’t tell your story, someone else will,” he said.

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