MUSCATINE, Iowa–At the May 8 Muscatine School Board Meeting, board members approved Chris Nienhaus as the next director of operations. Nienhaus will take over for Ryan Castle, who will become Muscatine High School Principal. The district has not yet announced a new principal for Susan Clark Junior High School, Nienhaus’ current position.
A 1995 graduate of Muscatine High School, Nienhaus returned to the district to teach high school math after earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in administration from Western Illinois University. He taught for six years, getting involved with the school community by coaching and serving as department lead.
Moving into administration seemed a natural progression, as Nienhaus had an interest in it since graduating high school. “Initially, I wanted to be an athletic director,” he shared, adding that in high school, “Chuck Van Hecke influenced me greatly.” When an opportunity to serve as assistant principal at Muscatine High School opened, he accepted it. He also earned a principal endorsement through Western Illinois University.
Chris Nienhaus will start as Muscatine Community School District’s director of operations July 1. Photo courtesy Muscatine Community School District.
12 years later, he became the principal of Susan Clark Junior High School, giving him a unique administrative experience. During his five years there, Nienhaus oversaw the combination of Central and West Middle Schools into Susan Clark Junior High School, helping deal with the logistical considerations of merging two schools and creating a cohesive culture where students and teachers felt welcomed and could do their best. As Nienhaus takes on his new role, he finds it bittersweet to move on as the junior high school starts to see the benefits of the last several years’ work. “It was a really tough decision,” he said. “I love my job here at Susan Clark Junior High School.”
As the director of operations, Nienhaus will work closely with four departments, custodial, maintenance, food service, and transportation. In the coming years, Nienhaus knows much of his attention will go to the construction throughout the district. However, he also hopes to address the district’s other needs, including hiring more bus drivers. “I think there’s a huge need to find personnel in all those departments, especially in transportation,” he said. In his new role, Nienhaus will focus on hiring staff members for openings in the departments he works with and giving them the support they need to thrive. ” “It’s my job to find ways to make their jobs easier,” he emphasized. He will also work on efficient budgeting for the areas he oversees.
Muscatine born and raised and a longtime community member, Nienhaus hopes his work will make the schools and the city better for all. “I grew up in this community and I’ve chosen to stay in this community and give back to this community through the school system,” he stated. “I’m proud of this community and want to make it a good place to raise families.”
