Cain

TOLEDO — The South Tama County Board of Education has named Bettendorf elementary principal John Cain the district’s next superintendent.

Cain was chosen out of a field of three finalists that also included Prairie Lakes AEA Director Lisa Hartman and Marshalltown High School Principal Jacqueline Wyant.

“I’m super excited to begin the relationship building in the community as your superintendent because I can’t do this job without you,” Cain said in a recorded address to the community. “Two pieces that greatly excite me as your new superintendent include the diversity within the community and coming in a special time to really support the new middle school. What an exciting time to be part of the community.”

The process has included a community wide survey asking residents to provide their input on the qualities and characteristics they would like to see in the district’s next leader. The board conducted semi-finalist interviews on March 22, and the three finalists were interviewed on Tuesday.

The board will formally approve Cain’s contract with an annual salary of $160,000 at its April 4 regular meeting, and he will officially begin his new job on July 1.

Outgoing Superintendent Jared Smith has been with the district since 2018 and will be moving on to take the same position at Waterloo Community Schools this summer. The board of education contracted with Grundmeyer Leader Services, a Huxley based consulting firm, to conduct the search.

Cain previously served as elementary principal and curriculum director in the Calamus-Wheatland CSD. He was also a quality learning consultant with the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency and started his educational journey as an elementary teacher in the Clinton CSD.

Cain holds a master’s degree in technology from The Franciscan University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Illinois University. He also received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Teikyo Marycrest University and an associate degree from Clinton Community College.

In 2015, Cain earned an educational specialist certificate from the University of Iowa.

Cain currently resides in the Quad Cities with his wife Kathy, who works as a realtor. They have three sons: Aaron of Denver, Colo., Kameron of Cedar Rapids and Keaton of Cedar Rapids. They have four grandchildren.

Cain said in his video statement that he and his wife plan on relocating to the area.