After months of bitter accusations and community uproar, the Durant Schools has named a new high school principal. He’s 37-year-old Matt Kingsbury, the principal of Columbus High School in Columbus Junction since 2007. He’s getting an $82,000 salary and a 12-month contract in his new job. Superintendent Duane Bark says Kingsbury comes highly recommended.
He replaces Monica Rouse, who was suspended with pay by Bark last September for alleged wrongdoing, which she denied. The school board voted a month later to consider firing her. Rouse then requested and received a hearing before an administrative law judge, who said she should keep her job.
But the board rejected the opinion and voted in late March to fire her.
By Phil Roberts, Davenport