Darwin Lehmann, superintendent of the Forest City and Central Springs Community School Districts, was a finalist for the 2023-24 Iowa Superintendent of the Year award sponsored by the School Administrators of Iowa.
“SAI is pleased to celebrate the contributions and leadership of school superintendents dedicated to serving students and their communities,” said Lisa Remy, the association’s executive director.
Nominated for the award by his peers, Lehmann will be recognized by the association at its Annual Conference in August 2024, along with Storm Lake Superintendent Stacey Cole who was recently selected as the recipient.
Mr. Lehmann’s leadership qualities, including leading through change and being a servant leader were noted in addition to his innovative work to ensure the academic and financial health of both districts.
Lehmann is an active leader both professionally and personally. He has held numerous leadership positions throughout his tenure in administration with School Administrators of Iowa, Central Rivers AEA, as well as within local organizations including Economic Development and Rotary. He is an instructor for the Iowa School Finance Leadership Consortium, a UNI Critical Friend mentor and an adjunct professor of School Resource Management at Drake University.
Lehmann has served as Forest City’s superintendent since 2007. During the 2012-13 school year, he also served as superintendent of the Woden-Crystal Lake School District prior to the two districts merging in 2013. He became a shared superintendent of the Central Springs and Forest City school districts at the start of the 2020-21 school year. Before joining Forest City, he held superintendent and principal roles in the Griswold Community School District and began his career in education as a teacher and coach in the Wahoo School District in Nebraska.
Lehmann holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Midland and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He earned his specialist certificate in educational leadership from Drake University.
SAI, a statewide organization founded in 1987, represents more than 2,000 Iowa educational administrators. SAI’s mission is to support, encourage and develop Iowa’s educational leaders and learners.
