🎉 Celebrating Our Retirees! 🎉 This year, Waterloo Schools is honoring over 50 incredible staff members who are entering a well-deserved retirement, representing a staggering 931 combined years of service to our district! Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring individual retirees on our page to celebrate their careers. Please join us in the comments to thank each and every one of them for their profound dedication to our students, families, and community! 💙 👇

📢 Choose Your Adventure! Week 2 of the Summer Reading Roadshow is here! ✨ We are hitting the road this Tuesday, June 16 at 11:30 AM with TWO awesome locations to choose from! Which stop will your family choose? 👇 ㅤ 🍋 Option 1: Lincoln Elementary -Book: It Began With Lemonade by Gideon Sterer -The Vibe: A hilarious story about a girl who takes her lemonade stand to the river to serve forest animals! -Activity: We are mixing up and making our own fresh lemonade! 🍋 ㅤ 🌊 Option 2: Orange Elementary -Book: Surf’s Up by Kwame Alexander -The Vibe: Two frog besties head to the beach to prove that books can take you on the ultimate wild adventure! 🐸 -Activity: We’re catching a creative wave and decorating our own paper surfboards! ㅤ No matter which front entrance you meet us at, the kids will get a great story, a hands-on craft, and a delicious free lunch! ㅤ Which stop are you heading to? Drop a 🍋 or 🌊 in the comments! ⚠️ Reminder: Grown-ups must stay on-site for the 30-minute session. Outdoors only; canceled for heavy rain. #WaterlooProud #SummerReadingRoadshow #LincolnElementary #OrangeElementary #FliptheScript #InfinitePossibilities #WaterlooSchools

🎓 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Zach Stephenson 🎓 West High School senior Zach Stephenson is heading off to big things, but he leaves behind a massive legacy—including 1,300 total hours dedicated to the team (with a whopping 890 hours logged this season alone!). Zach first joined the team in early 2025 after a classmate invited him to check it out. Since then, he’s grown from a shy student with stage fright into a confident speaker who can pitch a robot to anyone. Even better? The encouragement from his mentors helped him turn his grades around, leading to his best academic year yet. Reflecting on what made the late nights in the lab so special, Zach shares: "It would usually be me, a mentor, and one or two other members just talking, having a good time late at night just trying to finish fixing something... I think that's where we developed a tightly knit team." His hard work paid off big at the Granite City regional, where the team's robot, Domino, performed incredibly well. Zach is deeply proud of the effort he put into making that machine a reality. Next up, Zach plans to attend Hawkeye Community College for two years before transferring to Iowa State University to major in Aerospace Engineering. Thank you for everything, Zach! We can't wait to watch you soar! 🚀🤖 #SeniorSpotlight #FRC #Robotics #FIRSTRobotics #ClassOf2026 #AerospaceEngineering

📢 PRESS RELEASE: Putting Students First ㅤ For the second consecutive year, Waterloo Community School District administrators have voluntarily agreed to freeze their salaries for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. By choosing to forgo pay increases, this collective effort avoids approximately $200,000 in additional costs—ensuring resources stay right where they matter most: in our classrooms supporting our students and frontline staff. ✨ See the full press release below 👇 ㅤ Waterloo Schools Administrators Voluntarily Freeze Salaries for Second Consecutive Year to Support District Budget ㅤ Waterloo Community School District administrators have voluntarily agreed to freeze their salaries for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. This marks the second year in a row that district administrators have chosen to forgo pay increases, a collective effort to help Waterloo Schools navigate ongoing local and statewide budget challenges. ㅤ The freeze applies to more than 60 district leaders, including building principals, assistant principals, district-level directors, and the superintendent. Collectively, the decision avoided approximately $200,000 in additional salary costs that otherwise would have been incurred during the 2026-2027 school year. ㅤ As public school districts across Iowa face difficult financial realities, the decision by Waterloo’s leadership team underscores a deep cultural commitment to prioritizing resources directly for classroom learning and frontline staff. ㅤ "As we continue to make difficult financial decisions across the district, it is vital for our community to see that district leadership is fully committed to doing its part," said Superintendent Dr. Jared Smith. "This decision speaks volumes about the culture of teamwork we are building in Waterloo. Our administrators are actively choosing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our staff, our students, and our families during these lean fiscal times." ㅤ An administrative salary freeze across an entire leadership team is virtually unheard of in public education. While salary freezes are occasionally implemented in isolated circumstances, it is exceedingly rare for an entire administrative team to voluntarily forgo salary increases for two consecutive years. ㅤ By voluntarily extending the pay freeze into the 2026-2027 school year, Waterloo's administrators are mitigating the impact of mandatory budget reductions on student services and operational efficiency. The cost avoidance realized from this freeze will directly support the district’s primary mission: ensuring every student has the robust resources, diverse experiences, and comprehensive support needed to succeed. ㅤ "I am incredibly proud of our leadership team for their selflessness," added Dr. Smith. "This choice highlights an uncommon level of dedication. It proves that our administrators are not just managing the district—they are deeply invested in its heart, its people, and its future."

👏 CONGRATULATIONS, CASSIDY COUGHLIN! 👏 We are thrilled to announce that Cassidy "Cass" Coughlin has stepped into his new role as the Facility Operations Supervisor for Waterloo Schools! ㅤ In this vital role, Cass will be leading the charge to keep our schools running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. He will be: -Supporting Our Team: Providing leadership, training, and development for our incredible custodial and engineering staff across the district. -Setting the Standard: Coordinating district-wide custodial operations to ensure consistent, top-notch cleaning standards in every building. -Planning for the Future: Supporting facility maintenance, district projects, and overall operational efficiency to create safe, welcoming environments for our students and staff. ㅤ "Cass has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to serving our schools. He understands the importance of supporting staff, building positive relationships, and maintaining safe, clean learning environments for students and employees. I am excited to have him step into this role," said Zach Kelly, Director of Operations. ㅤ Please join us in celebrating Cass and wishing him the absolute best as he takes on this new leadership position! We are so lucky to have him on our team. 🎉 #WaterlooSchools #TeamWaterloo #LeadershipSpotlight #FacilityOperations #Congratulations

FTC/FRC Senior Spotlight | Hunter Spitzer – West High School Join us in celebrating Hunter Spitzer, a West High senior who has spent an incredible 599 hours this season pouring his heart and soul into STEM and FIRST Robotics! ㅤ Hunter first joined the team after hearing a friend’s exciting stories about practices and meets, and he hasn't looked back since. One of his favorite highlights was the FTC State Championship—not just for the thrill of the competition, but for the camaraderie. Between the team's first overnight hotel stay and securing the 3rd Place Inspire Award, it was the perfect "breath of fresh air" after a season of hard work. ㅤ Through the "grind" of the season, Hunter says his biggest takeaway wasn't just technical; it was about the people. ㅤ "I’ve learned to work more effectively with a diverse group of people, gaining a better understanding of different perspectives and communication styles," Hunter shared. "This has helped me collaborate more openly and adapt to new ideas." ㅤ The Future is Bright: Hunter is headed to Iowa State University this fall to study Electrical Engineering with a minor in Economics. He also plans to stay involved in the robotics world by volunteering and potentially coaching a team of his own down the line! ㅤ Congratulations on an amazing 500 hour legacy, Hunter! We can't wait to see the impact you make at ISU. ❤️ #SeniorSpotlight #WaterlooSchools #WestHigh #FIRSTRobotics #STEM #ClassOf2026 #FutureEngineer

😎The Summer Reading Roadshow at Becker was a huge success today! Make sure to catch next week's site at Lincoln or Orange from 11:30 am 11:30 a.m. to noon. Bring your kids for lunch, story time, and a fun craft!!! 📖 #SummerFun #ReadingIsGreat #WaterlooProud

🐮 From "Adopt A Cow" to the Creamery! 🍦 Ms. Taylor’s 2nd grade Talent Development Groups from Irving & Highland had the ultimate "field" trip last Wednesday, May 6! After a year of learning all about Raven, our "Adopt A Cow" program star, students traveled to Country View Dairy in Hawkeye, Iowa, to see a working dairy farm and creamery in action. Highlights from our day: 🐣 The Circle of Life: We got to see a newborn calf being born (WOW!), plus calves that were just one and two days old! 🤖 High-Tech Milking: Students watched the milking herd and learned how modern technology helps care for the cows. 🥣 Farm to Table: We saw how milk is transformed into delicious yogurt right in the creamery. 🍦 Sweet Success: We topped off the tour with a fresh dairy treat and some playground fun at a park in West Union. A huge thank you to Kristina from Country View Dairy for helping us plan this incredible experience, and to the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) for the grant that made this trip possible. Special thanks to Mrs. Webb for joining us and helping make the day a success! #WaterlooSchools #WaterlooProud #AdoptACow #IowaAg #TalentDevelopment #IrvingElementary #HighlandElementary #HandsOnLearning

Waterloo Community Schools Names Danielle Hakeman New Principal of Hoover Middle School Waterloo Community Schools is pleased to announce that Danielle Hakeman has been selected as the new principal of Hoover Middle School, effective July 1, 2026. Hakeman, who currently serves as the school’s assistant principal, will succeed current principal Tom Harskamp. The appointment is subject to official board approval at the June 8, 2026, Board of Education meeting. ㅤ Hakeman has served as the assistant principal at Hoover Middle School since July 2024, where she has been the administrator for the sixth-grade team and a dedicated leader for the building's special education department. During her tenure, she has successfully collaborated with team leaders to improve school-wide communication, expand student opportunities, and align master scheduling to support student outcomes in relation to district goals. ㅤ Prior to her leadership role at Hoover, Hakeman spent four years as a Literacy Consultant and Dyslexia Specialist at Central Rivers AEA, where she supported regional school improvement initiatives, established Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and developed agency-wide protocols. Her extensive history with Waterloo Community Schools also includes serving as a district Lead Teacher from 2017 to 2020 and as a Literacy Coach at Lou Henry Elementary from 2013 to 2017. She began her education career as a classroom and remedial reading teacher in the middle and elementary school settings since 2007. ㅤ "We are excited to elevate Danielle to the role of principal at Hoover Middle School," said Josh Payton, Director of Secondary Education & Athletics. "Danielle has demonstrated exceptional leadership and deep commitment to the Hoover community over the last two years. Her expertise in instructional design, special education, and student advocacy makes her the perfect choice to build on the school's strong foundations and lead Hoover into the future." ㅤ Hakeman holds a Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa, graduating with highest honors from both institutions. She holds an Iowa Professional Administrator License for PK-12 Principal/PK-12 Special Education Supervisor and is a certified K-12 Dyslexia Specialist. ㅤ "I am deeply privileged to step into this new capacity and continue leading the incredible community at Hoover," said Hakeman. "I am honored to be able to build upon our strong foundation and remain fully committed to striving for excellence for our students, staff, and families.” ㅤ The district extends its sincere gratitude to Tom Harskamp for his years of dedicated service and leadership to the students, staff, and families of Hoover Middle School and wishes him the very best in his next chapter.

Waterloo Community Schools Names Ashley Walsh New Associate Director of Special Education Waterloo Community Schools is pleased to announce that Ashley Walsh has been selected as the new Associate Director of Special Education, effective July 1, 2026. Walsh will succeed Sunni Hart, who is transitioning into her new role as the district's Director of Elementary Education on July 1. The appointment is subject to official board approval at the June 8, 2026, Board of Education meeting. ㅤ Walsh brings a wealth of specialized leadership experience to the district, having served as the District Special Education Coordinator for College Community Schools in Cedar Rapids since 2020. In that role, she has been a strategic leader across PreK-12 systems, designing districtwide training programs for over 100 staff members, implementing scalable operational processes, and collaborating closely with human resources and finance to optimize resource allocation. ㅤ Prior to her coordinator role, Walsh spent a decade as an Elementary and Special Education Teacher with the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Throughout her career, she has specialized in building data-driven, inclusive learning structures and professional development frameworks that empower educators and maximize student growth. ㅤ "We are thrilled to welcome Ashley to our special education leadership team," said Megan Allen, Director of Special Education and Preschool. "Ashley’s extensive background in scaling data-driven programs and her people-first leadership style make her an incredible asset to Waterloo Schools. Her proven track record in establishing strong behavioral systems and supporting educators aligns perfectly with our mission to provide equitable access and top-tier support for all learners, birth through 21." ㅤ Walsh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary General Education with a minor in Special Education Strat. 1 from the University of Northern Iowa. She is currently completing her Master of Educational Leadership and Administration Certification through Northwestern College, with an expected completion in September 2026. ㅤ “I am honored and excited to join Waterloo Community Schools as Associate Director of Special Education and look forward to collaborating with students, families, staff, and community partners to ensure all learners have the support and opportunities they need to thrive," said Walsh. ㅤ The district congratulates Sunni Hart on her new appointment as Director of Elementary Education and is excited to welcome Walsh to the Waterloo community as she steps into this vital role.

☀️ Waterloo Schools Summer Hours Announcement 🗓️ Starting today, Monday, June 8, through Friday, July 31, the Waterloo Community School District will be transitioning to a summer building schedule. Here is what you need to know if you plan to visit us this summer: 📅 Open to the Public: Monday through Thursday ⏰ Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM 📍 Locations: Education Service Center (ESC) and all school buildings ⚠️ Friday Closure Note: All district buildings will be closed to the general public on Fridays. Our staff will still be hard at work behind the scenes on Fridays, preparing for the upcoming school year! Normal public operating hours will resume after July 31. Thank you for your cooperation, and have a wonderful summer! 🎒 #WaterlooSchools #SummerHours #WCSD

✨ A Proud Day for Waterloo Schools! ✨ The District and Waterloo Schools Foundation were incredibly honored to host Iowa Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer last week for a special tour of the Waterloo Career Center! 🏫🛠️ ㅤ It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the direct, local impact of her work with the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. With her strong focus on workforce development, STEM education, and hands-on, work-based learning, we loved getting to show off all the incredible things our students and instructors are accomplishing right here in Waterloo! ㅤ Thank you, Lt. Governor Cournoyer, for visiting and for your continued support of Iowa's future workforce! #WaterlooSchools #WaterlooCareerCenter #STEMIowa #WorkforceDevelopment #IowaEducation #CTE #FutureReadyIowa #WaterlooProud 📷 Provided by the Waterloo Schools Foundation

📣🌟 THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT! 🌟📣 History in the making over the weekend! A fantastic group of middle school students stepped up to represent the Waterloo Titans as some of the very first students to attend our new high school in the My Waterloo Days Parade! ㅤ What an incredible representation of unity, pride, and community spirit. These students are leading the way into an exciting new chapter for our district. ㅤ Let's go, Waterloo United! ✨ #WaterlooUnited #WaterlooTitans #MyWaterlooDays #WaterlooPride #TheFutureIsBright #IowaSchools #CommunityUnity

🎳💥 READY TO STRIKE? COMPLEMENTARY BOWLING CAMP! 💥🎳 Looking to sharpen your skills or try something brand new? Incoming High School Freshmen through Seniors—this is your chance! Registration is officially OPEN for the Waterloo United Bowling Camp! ㅤ Best of all? There is NO COST to attend! 🤩🎉 ㅤ Whether you're aiming to make the varsity squad or just want to learn the basics, our coaches are ready to help you level up your game. Help us grow our Waterloo United Bowling Team and see what high school bowling is all about! ㅤ 📅 Registration Deadline: Friday, July 24th 🧑‍🎓 Eligibility: Incoming 9th – 12th graders 📍 Check the attached flier for camp dates, times, and location details! ㅤ ✉️ How to Register / Get Details: Reach out to our coaches today to lock in your spot: Coach Weber: mmjcweber@yahoo.com Coach Steen: bowlingcoachsteen@gmail.com Or message them on their Facebook Page: Waterloo United Titans Bowling ㅤ Tag a friend who needs to join, check out the flier below, and let’s roll! #WaterlooUnited #WaterlooBowling #HighSchoolBowling #GoUnited #BowlingCamp #IowaHighSchoolSports

The Summer Reading Roadshow is officially ready to roll! Our first stop brings all the fun right to the front entrance of Becker on Tuesday, June 9 at 11:30 AM. 📚✨ We’re kicking off the season with a theme all about finding your place! ❤️ ㅤ We will be diving into Robert Lopshire’s classic, Put Me In the Zoo—a wonderfully silly book with a big heart! 🦁 It’s a beautiful reminder for kids to be uniquely themselves and proud of it. The best part? Watching the story's main creature try all sorts of hilarious, creative ways to find his perfect spot! ㅤ But the excitement doesn't stop when we close the cover! 📖 To bring the story completely to life, we are making our own silly paper animal masks! ✂️ Our volunteers know that making stories interactive is the absolute best trick to keep kids excited and learning all summer long. ㅤ Bring the kids out to enjoy the story, grab a delicious free lunch, and create a masterpiece together! 🍏 Just remember that a grown-up needs to stay on-site for the fun. See you at Becker! #WaterlooProud #SummerReadingRoadshow #BeckerElementary #FliptheScript #InfinitePossibilities #WaterlooSchools

🎓✨ CELEBRATING THE EXPO ALC CLASS OF 2026! ✨🎓 The caps have been thrown, but the celebration isn’t over! Looking back at last week's ceremony, we are incredibly proud of our Expo Alternative Learning Center graduates. This class has shown amazing determination, grit, and hard work to reach this milestone, and we know you’re going to do big things on whatever path you choose next! You’ve earned this moment—congratulations! 🌟🎉 📺 Watch the Ceremony Replay Want to relive the moment your favorite graduate walked the stage, or need to share the celebration with family and friends? The full recording of last week's commencement ceremony is available to watch anytime: 🔗 Stream the Expo ALC Graduation replay here: youtube.com/live/OXKJr_m90ys… Congratulations again to the Class of 2026! Your future is bright! 🚀👏 #ExpoALC #ClassOf2026 #GraduationReplay #ExpoGrads #WaterlooSchools #ProudOfYou

WEST HIGH SENIORS: CLASS OF 2026! 🎓✨ The banners are down, and the caps have been thrown, but we are still celebrating our incredible seniors! Looking back at last week's ceremony, we are filled with so much pride for the hard work, resilience, and unique spirit this class brought to the West High halls. You’ve officially left your mark on the Wahawk legacy, and we know you’re going to do big things out in the world. 📺 Catch the Ceremony Replay Want to relive the moment your favorite senior walked the stage, or need to share it with family who couldn't make it to Waterloo last week? The full recording of the commencement ceremony is ready for you to watch anytime. 🔗 Stream the West High Graduation replay here: youtube.com/live/a-YEYs2hIYY… Congratulations, Class of 2026. Keep flying high! #WestHigh #WahawkNation #ClassOf2026 #WahawkPride #Graduation2026 #WaterlooSchools

🎓✨ CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EAST HIGH CLASS OF 2026! ✨🎓 We are still floating on air after celebrating our amazing seniors last week! We are incredibly proud of all your hard work, dedication, and the memories you've made with us. Trojans, you've left a lasting mark at East High, and we can't wait to see the incredible things you do next! 📺 Missed it or want to relive the moment? The full recording of last week's East High Graduation Ceremony is available to watch! Whether you want to see your senior walk the stage again or share the moment with family out of town, you can catch the entire replay right here: 🔗 Watch the East High ceremony replay: youtube.com/live/slMoSl579Ro… Congratulations again, Class of 2026! You will always have a home here. 🌟 #ClassOf2026 #GraduationReplay #SeniorCelebration #ProudSchool #Commencement2026 #EastHighPride

🎮 STATE RUNNERS-UP! 🥈 A massive congratulations to the Waterloo United Esports Marvel Rivals team! After a completely dominant regular season, the squad took on the best of the best in a state-qualifying exhibition tournament and brought home 2nd place in the state! 🔥 ㅤ Shoutout to the incredible roster representing Waterloo: 🎮From East High: Ben Eberhard, Alexander Richardson, Elijah Smith, Alex Guzman 🎮From West High: Matthew Hurlbut, Isaiah Hoeppner, Mason Ferch, Cash Ferch ㅤ Way to make history and represent Waterloo United on the big stage! 🕹️ #WaterlooUnited #Esports #MarvelRivals #StateRunnersUp #TrojanPride #WahawkPride #IowaEsports

Waterloo Schools Superintendent Named One of the Top 10 School District Superintendents in the Nation The Waterloo Community School District is proud to announce that Superintendent Dr. Jared Smith has been recognized by Education Insider Magazine as one of the Top 10 School District Superintendents in the United States. ㅤ The national recognition follows a rigorous multi-stage review process designed to identify educational leaders making a meaningful and measurable impact in their school districts and communities. Candidates are nominated by education professionals, policy experts, and educational leaders from across the country before advancing through an extensive editorial review, interviews, and evaluation by an advisory board. Leaders are assessed on strategic leadership, student outcomes, operational effectiveness, organizational culture, innovation, and community engagement. ㅤ Since becoming superintendent, Dr. Smith has led Waterloo Schools through a period of significant transformation while navigating many of the challenges facing public education, including declining enrollment, financial pressures, and evolving student needs. During his tenure, Waterloo Schools has demonstrated measurable improvement across all major district accountability indicators, with gains in student achievement, attendance, graduation rates, organizational culture, employee engagement, and community support. ㅤ One of the most significant initiatives under Dr. Smith's leadership has been the development of Waterloo United High School and the redesign of the district's secondary school system. Following voter approval of a $165 million bond referendum—the largest school bond referendum in Iowa history—the district is constructing a new comprehensive high school and implementing what is widely regarded as one of the most significant secondary school transitions undertaken by an Iowa school district in recent history. ㅤ Over the past four years, Waterloo Schools has experienced substantial growth across nearly every measure of district performance. Today, the district's academic achievement ranks among the strongest of Iowa's urban school districts. At the same time, the district has improved attendance, reduced chronic absenteeism, increased graduation rates, lowered dropout rates, and strengthened the systems and supports that help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. ㅤ Beyond student outcomes, Waterloo Schools has maintained a strong organizational culture during a period of significant change. Employee satisfaction has remained near 90 percent, and the district was recently recognized by Forbes as the top school district employer in Iowa and the 7th best employer overall in the state. These recognitions reflect the district's commitment to creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work on behalf of students. ㅤ The district's progress has also been accompanied by responsible financial stewardship. Waterloo Schools successfully managed more than $20 million in budget reductions while continuing to prioritize student services, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. The district has also earned strong community support, securing voter approval for both the historic bond referendum and a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) referendum to support future facility and infrastructure needs. ㅤ "While I am honored by this recognition, the reality is that it belongs to the employees of Waterloo Schools," said Dr. Smith. "Every day, nearly 1,700 employees come to work focused on making a difference in the lives of children. From our teachers and paraeducators to our bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, secretaries, coaches, administrators, and district office staff, it takes an entire team working together to help students succeed. The growth we have experienced as a district is a reflection of their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to our shared mission of ensuring every student graduates with a diploma and a plan." ㅤ The recognition highlights Waterloo Schools' continued commitment to its mission of ensuring every student is given the comprehensive support and diverse experiences needed to graduate with a diploma and a plan. As the district prepares for the opening of Waterloo United High School and continues implementing its strategic plan, Waterloo Schools remains focused on its vision of setting the standard for urban education in Iowa. ㅤ The full article and featured interview detailing Dr. Smith's perspective on educational leadership can be viewed here: educationinsidermagazine.com….