Superintendent Search

Superintendent Search Update

FORT MADISON, IA — The Fort Madison Community School District School Board has announced two finalists in its search for the district’s next superintendent following a comprehensive review process with staff at Grundmeyer Leader Services. The finalists are David Keane and Mike Wolter.

Keane is the current director of teaching and learning, special education, and human resources for the West Burlington Independent School District. There, he has led a collaborative effort to develop a new mission and a portrait of a graduate for the district, laying the groundwork for a strategic plan. He also worked to improve the efficiency of the student information management system and facilitated a K-12 mathematics curriculum review and adoption process.

Previously, Keane was a school-to-career advisor at Humboldt High School in northcentral Iowa. He also has experience as a tech prep/school improvement coordinator and a science and industrial technology teacher. 

As secondary principal in Columbus CSD, Wolter has provided instructional leadership to support teaching effectiveness and student achievement, while managing the recruitment and hiring for hard-to-fill teaching positions. He has also leveraged Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to drive teacher collaboration and instructional improvement. Additionally, Wolter has collaborated with students, staff, families, and the community to strengthen the school culture.

Wolter previously served as assistant principal and activities director in Mediapolis CSD. He began his career in education as a math teacher and instructional coach in Fort Madison, and was named at-large state coach of the year in 2013.

As a next step, the board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct formal interviews with each finalist on Wednesday, April 30. A final decision is expected to be reached soon after the formal interviews.

The next superintendent will begin leading Fort Madison CSD effective July 1, 2025.