Submitted by The Dewitt Observer – CONTRIBUTED REPORT
The Northeast Community School District Board of Education has named Alicia Christiansen as the district’s next superintendent.
Christiansen currently serves as a district support administrator in the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency (AEA). In this role, she has supported, coached, and led district-wide efforts for five school districts, in addition to supervising and evaluating direct service providers in identified districts. She also served as the agency’s statewide curriculum and instructional network lead for 21 districts.
Current superintendent Neil Gray, who was hired to the position in 2016, announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year in December of last year. Prior to becoming superintendent at Northeast, Gray was the principal of Camanche Elementary School and also served as English language arts coordinator for the district. He also worked in the East Central and Maquoketa school districts during his decades-long career in education.
Prior to her current position, Christiansen served as 6-12 principal at Northeast and was an associate principal in the Clinton Community School District. She started her career in education as a math teacher at Washington Middle School in Clinton.
Board President Darlene Lamp said, “On behalf of the Northeast School Board, I am excited to welcome Alicia Christiansen to our district. Her passion for education, commitment to students, and vision for the future make her the right leader for this phase of new opportunities, innovation, and progress. We look forward to working together to support our schools and community!”
Christiansen holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The Franciscan University. She received her superintendent program certificate from the University of Northern Iowa.
“I am thrilled to return to Northeast CSD as Superintendent and have the opportunity to serve this incredible community again,” Christiansen said.
“I look forward to working alongside the dedicated staff, students, and families to build on the district’s successes and create new opportunities for growth and achievement. Go Rebels!”
Board members worked with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search. Christiansen will officially begin leading the district on July 1.
