Iowa City Community School District
Educational Services Center
Stephen Murley
Superintendent of Schools
Matt Degner
Assistant Superintendent
Amy Kortemeyer
Assistant Superintendent
Chace Ramey, J.D., Ph.D.
Chief Operations Officer
The mission of the Iowa City Community School District is to ensure all students will become responsible, independent learners capable of making informed
decisions in a democratic society as well as in the dynamic global community; this is accomplished by challenging each student with a rigorous and creative
curriculum taught by a diverse, professional, caring staff and enriched through the resources and the efforts of families and the entire community.
1725 North Dodge Street • Iowa City, IA 52245 • (319) 688-1000 • Fax (319) 688-1009 • www.iowacityschools.org
October 1, 2019
Dear Iowa City Community School District Students, Staff, Families, and
Community:
It is with mixed emotions that I write to you today. It has been my honor and
privilege to serve the students, staff, and community of the Iowa City
Community School District for the past decade. As I look back on the past ten
years, I am very proud to have been a part of a team that has done so much for
our children. I genuinely feel that the district is set up for success for years to
come. I also feel confident that this is a good time to consider a transition both
professionally and personally. It is with all this in mind that I have shared with
the Board that I will be moving on at the end of my current contract, June 30,
2021.
I frequently tell people that I chose to come here for both professional and
personal reasons. In a professional capacity, I have been fortunate to work with
some of the finest teachers, administrators, and staff that I have known
throughout my career. Together we have accomplished so much! Developing the
first district strategic plan including an articulated comprehensive school
improvement plan framework that flows from the district level to the classroom.
Implementing the district’s first comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion
plan including implicit bias training and cultural competency coaching. Advancing
the district’s first weighted resource allocation model for teachers and support
staff designed to more equitably distribute human resources throughout our
schools. Deploying the district’s first 1:1 laptop program for 7th-12th grade
students including implementation of the first learning management system in
the district. Opening the Kirkwood Regional Center featuring nineteen career
academies and serving students from eleven high schools from six districts.
Completing the ten year $414 million facilities master plan in seven years
including the construction of five new elementary schools, a new comprehensive
high school, and significant renovations at all existing schools in the district. This
was funded in part by the largest ever in the state $192 million general
obligation bond. Those are only a few of the things that we have achieved over
the past decade!
As a personal choice, our family moved here to provide an outstanding
educational opportunity for our boys. We are grateful for their experiences in
the classroom and extracurricular activities at school and in the community and
for all of the hard work and dedication put forth by their teachers and coaches. We are very
excited to watch our youngest walk across the stage as he graduates this May. Our sons have
been well prepared for post-secondary education, career, and life. For that we owe this
community our heartfelt gratitude! The community welcomed us with open arms and made our
time in Iowa a warm and enjoyable experience. We have met so many wonderful people and
formed life-long friendships.

I look forward to continuing our work together over the coming months as we focus on
providing the children of our community the finest education in the country. Thank you all so
very much for everything that you have done to make my time here so rewarding.

Sincerely,

Stephen F. Murley
Superintendent of Schools