Dear Editor,
Easton Valley, Delwood, and Andrew Boards Failed Students in Hiring Trenkamp
The Easton Valley, Delwood, and Andrew school boards recently approved Nick Trenkamp as Special Education Director. This decision is a failure of leadership, transparency, and accountability.
Trenkamp’s record is no secret. In April 2025, while superintendent of Central CSD, he posted on Facebook: “Not only does Big Pharma peddle their drugs, they promote homosexuality and obesity.” (PdC Courier, April 1, 2025; Des Moines Register, April 22, 2025). His remarks were homophobic, fat-shaming, and unprofessional. The backlash forced his resignation and cost Central taxpayers over $100,000 in attorney fees.
His apology was hollow—directed only to “anyone I offended.” He never addressed LGBTQ individuals or those struggling with weight, the very groups he demeaned. That refusal to take responsibility raises questions about his ability to show empathy or sound judgment.
More recently, under a meme of Charlie Kirk, he commented: “At least they didn’t shoot me.” This flippant remark trivialized political violence and mocked his own removal from Central. It shows a continued pattern of reckless behavior unfit for an administrator overseeing vulnerable students.
Equally troubling, my research of the IowaWorks system shows three candidates applied through the proper state-mandated process. None of them were Trenkamp. Two held a Master Educator License, and all had broader teaching endorsements. By contrast, Trenkamp is licensed only in Art. Superintendent Fee’s decision to bypass qualified applicants demonstrates serious incompetence and raises the question: how many other capable candidates have been ignored?
Accountability does not stop there. My research shows board member Joe Kilburg contacted Central for background information yet still voted yes. The other board members do not appear to have investigated at all. That leaves two possibilities: either the boards ignored the documented press coverage, or Superintendent Fee withheld it. Both scenarios are unacceptable. Either the boards failed in their duty to protect students, or the superintendent failed in his duty to provide full information.
The conclusion is clear. Hiring Trenkamp despite his recent misconduct, his limited qualifications, and his continued reckless comments jeopardizes both child safety and taxpayer funds. Central’s costly experience should have been warning enough.
Parents and taxpayers must demand better. The boards should remove Trenkamp before his words or actions cause further harm—and before our districts repeat Central’s expensive mistake.
As of this writing, after emailing all three boards about Trenkamp’s latest comment, I have received no response. Silence only compounds the failure of leadership.
Richard Betts – Preston, IA
