Sathoff selected as new superintendent

The Fairfield Community School District Board of Directors named Art Sathoff as the district?s next superintendent during a special meeting Monday evening at the Administration/Curriculum/Technology Center.

Sathoff, who is currently the Fairfield High School principal, was offered a three-year-contract, with a salary of $122,500 for 2011-12, $125,000 for 2012-13 and $127,500 for 2013-14.

School board member Margaret Dwyer pointed out the beginning starting salary is less than what was offered to the current superintendent, but it will quickly catch up.

Don Achelpohl, who was selected by the school board in February 2008 to replace retiring superintendent Steve Triplett, accepted a three-year contract with the district with a first-year salary of $125,000. He assumed his duties in Fairfield July 1, 2008.

Achelpohl submitted a resignation letter to the board in February requesting June 30 be his final day with the Fairfield school district. The board decided to begin its search for a successor by limiting applications to current employees and not hiring a search firm.

During the interview process, Sathoff met with several stakeholder groups including board members, students, teachers, noncertified staff, administrators, parents and community members.

?Every focus group came in overwhelmingly in favor of Mr. Sathoff,? said board president Gail Miller.

Sathoff felt the interview process with the various stakeholder groups reinforced the idea that his skills and values are a good match with the district?s needs.

Sathoff?s interview with the school board was held Friday evening. Following the interview, the board members reviewed information gathered from all the stakeholders? groups and decided to offer the job to Sathoff.

Sathoff accepted the offer before leaving Sunday afternoon with the FHS chorus students on their trip to New York City. But because the board had not officially approved the hiring, he and board members had not spoken publicly about the decision, said Miller and district business manager Kim Sheets.

Sathoff grew up in Iowa Falls and earned a bachelor?s degree in English literature in 1988 from Wartburg College. After teaching two years in Fairfax, Mo., he returned to Iowa to work and earn his master?s degree in English literature from University of Northern Iowa. He continued his education at Drake University, earning a certificate in secondary administration in 2001 and a specialist degree in 2004.

Before becoming FHS principal, Sathoff worked in the Pekin Community School District for 19 years; the final eight as a secondary school administrator. In 2009, his final year at Pekin, in addition to being the Pekin High School principal, evaluating middle and high school teachers and leading staff development, Sathoff also served as a part-time superintendent of the Fremont school district.

He and his wife Cindy have been married for 21 years, and they have two sons: Jordan and Trey.

?I am extremely pleased, grateful and proud to have the opportunity to serve the Fairfield Community School District as its next superintendent,? said Sathoff, adding that he?s looking forward to working very hard to provide the school and community with the best possible leadership.

?In spite of financial challenges and uncertain times in public education, Fairfield Community School District remains a tremendous place to work and learn,? said Sathoff. ?The board, administration and staff have kept the focus on serving the community?s students, and the goal is continuous improvement even while resources have been limited. I am excited to work with community leaders and supporters on joint ventures that will not only benefit our schools, but also revitalize the community.?

?Southeast Iowa is a great place to live and raise a family, and there is no better place than Fairfield to go to school and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to have success after high school,? he continued. ?I am deeply honored to be Fairfield community?s next superintendent of schools.?

Sathoff will begin his new job July 1. The board voted unanimously to approve the contract; Bob Waugh was not present.

The board did not discuss finding a new principal for the high school during its meeting Monday.