Lawmakers praise Buck as ‘perfect fit’ for state education chief

DES MOINES - The selection Wednesday of Iowa's education chief to become superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District comes as the department is implementing landmark education reforms adopted in 2013 by lawmakers.

Brad Buck took over as head of the Iowa Education Department in August that year - succeeding Jason Glass - after serving as superintendent of the 1,300-student Saydel school district in rural Polk County two year years.

At the time, Gov. Terry Branstad called Buck a visionary with the right skills to implement the legislative reforms.

Key legislators who have worked with the state agency to implement the reforms and a teacher leadership initiative said Buck is a valuable partner in working through the process of bringing about changes to boost student performance and working to make Iowa education world class.

'I thought he was an excellent director,” said Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington, co-chair of the House-Senate education budget subcommittee. 'He was one of Iowa's own who understood Iowa education and Iowa school districts. I thought he was a perfect fit for a difficult job with a lot of sides to it. That's a surprise.”

Rep. Cecil Dolecheck, R-Mount Ayr, the other budget panel co-leader, noted there have been differences from time to time among policymakers over education issues but that Buck worked to find common ground.

'I know my correspondence and communications with Director Buck have been extremely good and extremely supportive,” said Dolecheck.

Cedar Rapids teacher Tammy Wawro said the state's loss will be the school district's gain. Wawro, a former classmate of Buck's at Cedar Rapids' Jefferson High School and now president of the Iowa State Education Association, praised the choice as an educational leader with vision who 'empowers everybody to have a voice.”

Branstad spokesman Jimmy Centers said the state Department of Education has many talented and qualified professional with deep institutional knowledge to keep the reform efforts on track while governor looks for Buck's replacement.

'Director Brad Buck has been instrumental in the implementation of Iowa's transformational education reform, including the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System,” Branstad said in a statement. 'We appreciate the service and leadership of Director Buck and wish him the best as he continues his career in education in Cedar Rapids.”

The DOE chief's name was not among the list of reappointments that the governor's office issued on March 2.

Legislators and others noted with irony that Buck - who recently implemented a Branstad directive that tightened the waiver process for school districts seeking to start fall classes prior to the week including Sept. 1 - would now be flipping roles as a school administrator who will have to abide by the new policy.

'Interesting, he's subject to his own directive,” said Schoenjahn.