Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Matt Degner announced that he is stepping down, but will remain in an administrative role, citing his mother’s cancer diagnosis.
The announcement was made to ICCSD students and families on Friday, May 22, in an email announcement from Degner, the West Side Story, Iowa City West High’s student newspaper reported.
Degner will continue to serve as superintendent through the end of June. Pending approval, Degner will become executive director of secondary schools, grades 7-12. The position is currently held by Lucas Ptacek, who is leaving for another district at the end of the school year.
“As we begin navigating this situation together, I have spent considerable time reflecting on what is best for both my family and the Iowa City Community School District,” Degner said in his email. “As a result, I requested the opportunity to transition into the role of executive director of Secondary Schools. This decision will allow me to continue serving the students, staff and families of the district in a meaningful way, while also being more available to my family during this challenging time.”
Degner has been with the Iowa City school district since 2013, previously serving as assistant superintendent and principal of Southeast Junior High. In 2021, Degner began serving as the district’s superintendent after a year as interim superintendent, following Steve Murley’s resignation.
Degner’s connections to the ICCSD run deep: two of his children are currently enrolled in the district, and another is an ICCSD graduate. His wife, Dr. Kate Degner, is a district teacher and an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa.
Degner’s leadership of one of Iowa’s largest districts and his eye for innovation earned him K-12 Dive’s 2026 National Superintendent of the Year award.
Degner landed a spot on Education Insider’s list of “Top 10 School District Superintendents” in October.
Iowa City CSD’s secondary schools include the three middle schools, Iowa City High, Iowa City West High, Iowa City Liberty High, Tate High and ICCSD Online.
Superintendent resignation comes amid ICCSD financial crisis
Degner’s resignation comes amid the district’s ongoing financial crisis that began to unravel in January after the board of directors was asked to retroactively approve a $10 million interfund loan to pay salaries. The district also failed to accurately track spending and revenue for nearly three years, fell behind on audits, and lost its bond rating.
The district said it may have to close school buildings as it works toward financial stability.
Iowa City CSD faces wave of leadership changes
Degner’s resignation is the latest in a series of Iowa City CSD leadership shakeups. Following a closed session on Friday, May 15, the board of directors accepted the resignation of special education director Ashley Reedy.
Ptacek is leaving his role as secondary schools director for the Linn-Mar Community School District as its director of high school teaching and learning, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported.
Iowa City Community School District director of human resources Nick Proud is also leaving for a job in the Davenport Community School District, effective July 1.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City CSD superintendent steps down, cites family illness
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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