Pekin signs Superintendent Philips to 3-year deal

PACKWOOD — The Pekin Community School District Board of Directors has agreed to a three-year deal with superintendent Derek Philips.

Philips was hired in June on an interim contract to last just one year. The school board called a special meeting Thursday night, Dec. 15, where it announced it had come to an agreement with Philips to extend his tenure another three years, the most allowed by the state. The contract sets Philips’ salary at $135,000 per year, and will expire in June 2026.

Pekin School Board President J.J. Greiner said Philips has shown great leadership ability in his first six months on the job, and the board is excited to see his commitment to Pekin.

“We didn’t know who we were going to get for a superintendent, but we’ve heard nothing but good things about [Philips],” Greiner said. “The contract shows a commitment to Derek and his family, and shows that we’re committed to who runs our school. Three years is our limit, and it shows a big commitment from us that he’s our guy.”

Greiner said the school board is thankful Philips moved his family to the district.

“He lives very close by, and we’re happy to have him and his family here,” Greiner said.

Philips said it feels great to sign this contract with the school board because it shows they have faith in him and that he is committed to Pekin.

“It makes it easier walking the halls, letting everyone know that I want to be here and I’m going to be here,” Philips said. “I appreciate the support of the board and the staff over the last six months, and I’m looking forward to continuing this.”

Philips grew up just outside Keosauqua and attended Van Buren County Schools, graduating in 2003. Before coming to Pekin, he worked as an elementary school principal in Chariton, and before that he held jobs in the Fairfield and Ottumwa school districts.

After securing the job as Pekin’s superintendent in June, Philips moved his family to Packwood.

“It’s important to live in the district where you work,” he said. “My kids go to school here as well. We’ve got a fourth-grader, second-grader and kindergartner.”

Philips is married to Jillian (Bishop), a Fairfield High School alumna, and they have four children: sons Ryne (9), Reed (7) and Rhett (5); and daughter Rorie (3).

Philips said one of the ways he’s encouraging Pekin Pride is by appending the hashtag “Worth the Drive” to the school’s social media posts. He said it’s a reference to the fact that everyone drives to Pekin since it’s in the country, and that the quality of its education and extracurricular activities is worth the effort.

Another new program this year is called “On the Spot,” where Pekin students create news videos they post on the school’s Facebook page. Philips said this is a club, not part of a class, for 7th-12th graders, and overseen by technology director Bryan Babcock.

One of the challenges facing Philips when he arrived on campus was that, not only was he starting a new role as superintendent, he would be responsible for mentoring three administrators who were also in their first year of their job: Dean of Students and Activities Director Alex Rebling; 7-12 Principal Shawn Dorman; and Preschool-6th Principal Jenny Bell.

Philips said the chance to work with a new team gave them all the opportunity to grow together.

“Being able to mold and lead a brand-new crop of administrators was appealing to me,” he said. “The staff has been great and accepting of all of us and what we’re trying to do.”

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