Duree

Iowa Valley Community College District Chancellor Chris Duree is expected to announce his retirement from the district at next week’s Iowa Valley Board of Trustees meeting.

The planned announcement came up at Wednesday’s board retreat.

“After 38 years in public education, 30 of which have been in public education administration, I have made a very difficult decision to step away from education administration to have more time to spend with my wife and family, and in particular our eight grandchildren,” Duree wrote in a statement to district officials, which he shared with the T-R on Wednesday. “My heart and my brain are finally ‘on the same page’ and Brenda and I both feel like the time is right in our lives to enjoy what is most important to us.”

His expected retirement date is June 30, 2019, and a successor is expected to take over the chancellor position on July 1, 2019. The process for finding a successor was discussed at Wednesday’s retreat.

Independent consultant Larry Ebbers was at the retreat and said the succession process will have many steps, including forming a search committee, advertising the opportunity, holding open forums with the public and more.

Ebbers said the demand for the position will be “favorable” and expects somewhere between 25-30 candidates will apply. A search committee of district faculty and staff, trustees and community members will help narrow down the candidates.

“You have good leadership and you have a good staff,” Ebbers said to the board members.

Iowa Valley Board President Larry Johnson said Duree’s retirement will be officially announced at the Nov. 14 regular meeting in Iowa Falls. Also expected for that meeting’s agenda is a vote on approving Ebbers to conduct the succession process.

Johnson suggested discussing the succession process in an open session after the Dec. 12 regular meeting.

“I think we just need some time, all of us, to sit around and talk and not make any decisions,” he said.

Duree took up the chancellor position in November of 2009. He said is proud of his time at Iowa Valley.

“I have been blessed to have the privilege of working with a talented team, an incredibly supportive Board of Directors, and all of you as a member of our Iowa Valley family,” he wrote.

The next IVCCD Board of Trustees meeting is set for 4 p.m. Nov. 14 in room 100 of Reg Johnson Hall at Ellsworth Community College, 1100 College Ave., Iowa Falls.

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Contact Adam Sodders at

(641) 753-6611 or

asodders@timesrepublican.com