DAVENPORT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WELCOMES
NEW SUPERINTENDENT

The Davenport Community Schools welcomes Julio Almanza as its new superintendent following formal approval of all contract issues at last night’s regular Board of Education meeting. It is expected that Mr. Almanza will step into the position early this summer.

With more than 30 years experience in education, Mr. Almanza currently resides in Duluth, Minnesota where he is the interim chief administrator for the City of Duluth. Immediately prior to that position, Mr. Almanza served as the Superintendent of the Duluth Public Schools from 1998 to 2005. Before that, he was the Assistant Superintendent for Planning and Support Services for the St. Paul Public Schools from 1993 to 1997. In addition, he has been a director for various educational services, an assistant principal and an elementary school teacher. It is this public education experience, along with his direct involvement in urban education issues - including a focus on student achievement - that led the members of the Davenport Board of Education to offer Mr. Almanza the position.

“Mr. Almanza has a strong combination of skills that will support our district’s progress in the coming years,” notes Patt Zamora, school board president. “Now and in the near future, we will be dealing with important issues of academic achievement, providing a safe and supportive environment in our schools, and making decisions about the future of our facilities and programs. Mr. Almanza’s experience in these issues will be of real benefit to us,” she adds.

It is expected that current interim superintendent, Dr. Norbert Schuerman, will stay on through July 1st, helping to implement a transition plan that will assist Mr. Almanza in focusing on key issues facing the district and building relationships with key stakeholders in the Davenport Schools community. Initial priorities will focus on the achievement gap for targeted groups of students, maintaining high expectations for curriculum development and classroom rigor, budget management, continued facilities planning, and both middle grades and high school reform issues.