School Board hires new high school principal

    The Clear Lake School Board welcomed a new administrator Monday night.  The Board approved the hiring of Chris Murphy as its new high school principal.
    Murphy, 36, is currently employed as a school improvement leader in the Des Moines Public School System.  He has held that position for six years.  Murphy’s experience also includes serving as dean of students for a high school alternative school and middle school.

    The Iowa native earned his undergraduate degree at Graceland University in Lamoni and his Master’s degree at Viterbo University, Des Moines extension. 
    He started his career in education in the Bondurant-Farrar School District, where the small town atmosphere appealed to him.  He said he sees the same type of close knit community in Clear Lake and looks forward to relocating his family here.  He and his wife, Carrie, have a seven-year-old son named Mason and a five-year-old girl named Aubrey.
    “We have visited Clear Lake in the past two or three weekends and are soaking it in-- going into the shops and exploring the community,” he said.
    The new school leader said he has not had the opportunity to speak with staff members to assess what they perceive as key issues in the school and district.
    “My intent is to be very focused on academics,” he said.  “I want the students to achieve.”  
    Murphy will begin his duties July 1 with a salary of $87,500.
    In other business Monday, the School Board also approved administrative and salaried personnel raises for the next year.  Pay increases ranged from 3 to 5 percent.    
    Salaries for the 2012-2013 year for administrative/salaried personnel are: Dale Ludwig, assistant principal, activity director, $82,722.90; Dan Long, middle school principal, $86,561.28; Mike Barkley, elementary principal, $101,188.30; Tracy Thomsen, curriculum coordinator, assistant elementary principal, $78,976.60; Kelly McLaughlin, director of maintenance, transportation director, $61,289.94; Lorna Leerar, business manager, board secretary, $67.007.64.
     The Mason City and Clear Lake School Districts pay the following shared personnel using a 60/40 split,- Read More Via e-Edition