By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
NORTH ENGLISH – On March 6, the English Valleys and Iowa Valley School Boards announced that they had selected Derek Philips as the new shared superintendent for the two districts. “It’s just a very humbling experience,” said Philips. “I’m just so lucky. I spent a lot of time talking to people there, and getting tours and meeting people, and I’ve interviewed a lot of different places, and it was one of those feelings where I finally understood why I got told no for these other jobs, because I really feel like this is where I’m supposed to be. The people were great and I felt there’s mutual excitement. I think they are excited to have me and I’m excited to be there. And when there’s that feeling of that mutual excitement, I think we’re going to be able to continue the great things that they’re doing.”
Philips began his education career with a year and a half at the Van Buren School District, but considers his career to have really begun with the years he spent as a fifth grade teacher at Fairfield. He later worked as an assistant principal at Ottumwa, principal at a Pre-K-2 school in Sheridan, and spent two years as the superintendent at Pekin. Philips currently works as the principal of Davis County High School in Bloomfield. He stated that he had worked just about every role in public education and that this experience would bode well at English Valleys and Iowa Valley.
Philips stated that he had wanted to return to being a superintendent, but also wanted to go to a community where the boards trusted their superintendent as a leader that was also a good place to bring his wife and four children.
“I like the smaller schools,” said Philips. “I think that both schools have a small town feel, but, you know, big school opportunities, and so it was super exciting for me, because it’s not just about me wanting to get the job and be a superintendent, it’s about wanting to be a superintendent but also being in a place where it’s good for my family.”
In a press release from the school boards, they noted that Philips had, in one year, moved Davis County’s Iowa School Performance Profile rating from “Needs Improvement” to “Acceptable.” They also noted the one, five, and ten-year facilities plans he had made at Pekin and that Philips had led board workshops and a community cleanup day after a tornado severely damaged his district in 2023.
“The English Valleys CSD is looking forward to working with Mr. Derek Philips as our next Superintendent,” said EV Board President Susan Schaefer. “Mr. Philips has experience in PK-12 as a teacher and principal and as a superintendent. He will be present in the schools and community, so stop by and say, ‘Hi.’ Please join us in welcoming Mr. Philips and his family to the English Valleys and Iowa Valley districts.”
In an interview with the News-Review, Philips stated he was excited about Iowa Valley’s esports team, athletic programs, drama department, and academic growth. He was similarly excited about EV’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports at the elementary and recent facility upgrades. He stated that the culture at both districts was “everybody pulling on the rope in the same direction,” something not all districts have.
“I’ve been places where some people are fighting the direction the district wants to go, and I’ve been places where they’re all going in the same direction, like English Valleys and Iowa Valley, and that’s really exciting, how quick you can make academic and athletic gains and activity gains,” said Philips. “I really felt everybody’s in it for the right reason, they believe in what they’re doing, and that simple belief in what you’re doing, it goes a long way.”
Philips will take over on July 1. He will split his time 50/50 between English Valleys and Iowa Valley, but has not decided a schedule yet.
