Charles City Board of Education approves hiring new high school, elementary school principals

To The Press

The Charles City Community School District Board of Education has approved the appointment of Jeromiah Bliss as high school principal and Dan Phipps as elementary school principal.

Bliss is the current assistant high school principal in the Clear Lake Community School District, where he develops intervention strategies to support struggling students, and also hires and develops staff toward district and state initiatives. He previously served as the 7th-12th grade principal in the North Tama County Community School District.

Phipps currently serves as security ambassador education manager of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he is responsible for the supervision and safety of the Ambassador program staff, as well as the entire campus of more than 150 employees. Previously, Phipps was assistant building principal of Mason City High School, and was named Outstanding Assistant Secondary Principal of the Year for the state of Iowa in 2021. In addition he has experience in the Air Force from 1998 to 2007 and the Navy Reserves from 1995 to 1998.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome both Jeromiah Bliss and Dan Phipps to our school district community,” said Dr. Anne Lundquist, superintendent. “Both are highly talented, driven and dedicated professionals and administrators who will undoubtedly continue to lead our students to success. We look forward to seeing the impact these two leaders will have on our high school and elementary school moving forward.”

Bliss holds a master’s degree in educational administration with a principal endorsement from Northwestern College in Orange City. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in kindergarten-6th grade elementary education from Upper Iowa University.

“I am excited for my family to move into Charles City and embark on our journey as Comets,” said Bliss. “The opportunity to serve students, staff, parents and community is humbling and not overlooked. I look forward to the task at hand and will give it my all.”

Phipps holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from St. Ambrose University in Davenport.

“I am excited to serve as the next principal at Lincoln Elementary,” said Phipps. “I believe all students can achieve their full potential, and I will be committed to supporting their learning at Lincoln Elementary. I have been in education for over 20 years and in the reserves for over 15 of those years.

“My wife and I live just outside of Charles City. We love living here and look forward to many more years here. We enjoy the outdoors together, fishing, hunting and hiking. I’m excited to join the district and look forward to getting started,” Phipps said.

Pending board approval, Bliss will begin serving July 1, and Phipps will start June 12 to assist with the transition and to participate in leadership development and professional development.