Charles City School Board to Make New Superintendent Hire Official Monday (05.13)

The Charles City School Board is expected to make the hire of the school district’s new Superintendent official Monday (05.13) night.

The Board meets in regular session at 5:30 pm in the High School Library with an agenda that not only includes approving Brian Burnight to a two-year contract effective July 1st, but also a temporary superintendent contract to begin working for the school district June 3rd. 

Burnight served as Director of Elementary Education in the Sioux City School District from 2012 to 2023, not far from his hometown of Hawarden  in northwest Iowa. However, he’s no stranger to northeast Iowa.

Burnight also tells KCHA/KCZE News he’ll take a “servant leadership” approach in his position as superintendent.

Burnight says he and his wife enjoy pickleball, golfing and the outdoors. He also plans to be out in the community with involvement in civic groups.

If Burnight is approved for a temporary Superintendent to begin June 3rd, that likely signals that current Superintendent Anne Lundquist will not return to that role. 

Lundquist announced she would retire at the end of this school year, June 30th. But last month, she was placed on paid administrative leave while the district investigates allegations about unspecified behavior and actions of Lundquist, according to School Board President David Schrodt.

No new details have been provided on the status of that investigation.