Gordon joins East Union superintendent in retirement

AFTON - Just two months after East Union Superintendent Tim Kuehl announced his retirement, Elementary Principal Joan Gordon will depart East Union alongside him in retirement.

Following the adoption of the school district’s early retirement policy in December, Gordon is the second administrator to use the policy. With both Kuehl and Gordon’s retirements approved by the board effective at the end of the year, the district will search for two replacements into the summer.

Citing the age of her husband as the reason for her retirement, Gordon thanked the administration and fondly remembers the times working within the East Union district.

“It’s been pretty much a joy all the way along,” Gordon said. “It’s like I said to you guys that when your decision to retire is difficult, when you’re 63 and could have done it six or seven years ago, that says a lot for East Union. You did something right. It does. Well, thank you.”

By the end of the 2026 school year, Gordon will have worked for 41 years at East Union, 19 as a teacher and 22 as elementary principal.

Gordon says she plans to continue as a substitute teacher when possible heading into the next phase of her life.

Kuehl had submitted plans for early retirement when the policy was first adopted in December. The district, in collaboration with the Murray School District as the position is under operational sharing, will spend much of February searching for a new superintendent to lead both districts.

On Thursday, three names were chosen in the search for the next superintendent. Justin Jeffs, Nate Perrien and Dr. Michael Volk will hold formal interviews next week on Tuesday, Feb. 24, with a final decision to come after the interviews.

Gordon’s retirement marks the second principal change at East Union since 2024. Secondary Principal Jason Riley stepped in as interim principal after the departure of Bill Meiners for the 2024-25 school year. Riley has since become the official principal for the middle and high school.

In other East Union news...

Two public hearings were set to give the public opportunities to comment on the next school year’s budget. The two hearings will be held at 5:30 p.m., March 24, and 6:30 p.m., April 20, before the board’s regular meetings. The proposed grand total levy rate for the next fiscal year is 15.59662, 4.3% lower than last year’s rate of 16.30355.

“I will assume we won’t get too much flak with the tax rate going down,” Kuehl said.

School pictures for fall 2026 will be through a new company to East Union, with the board opting for Pyles Photography headquartered in Council Bluffs. Kuehl said the company adds a personal touch to their business and is already used in the Murray school district.

Lower prices for photo packages was also a deciding factor compared to other choices. Other members of the board noted difficulties with other options, including incidents last year where families were delivered photos of the wrong students.

Board member Jamie Buffington reported hearing concerns on East Union’s student conduct policy from parents, specifically in regard to punishing students who act in retaliation or self-defense the same amount as students who would initiate a conflict. Kuehl and Secondary Principal Jason Riley have heard similar concerns and will discuss changes internally.

The East Union school board discussed the first draft for next year’s school calendar. As of this first look, the first day of school would be on Aug. 25. Winter break will take place between Dec. 24 and Jan. 5, with spring break March 12 through 19. The last day is tentatively scheduled for May 28. Hours for the school year totals 1,115.

Gordon discussed elementary test scores at the midway point of the year. I-Ready Achievement Data for the elementary remained at-level or higher for the two subjects monitored. At halfway through the year, reading had a typical growth point of 88% (average is 72%) and math had a typical growth point of 67% (average is 69%).

The board approved a revised 400 series of their policy and held their first reading of the 500 and 600 policy series. New policies conform to the Iowa Association of School Board’s requirements, such as detailing employee expression and student use of cellphones.

Board member Amber Tate was absent from Monday’s meeting.

The following resignations were approved:

Amber Fluckey, secondary para; Allison Grandfield, elementary title/special education teacher (effective June 30); John Walsh, secondary teacher (effective end of school year); Katie McGahuey, secondary teacher.