Ankeny School Board Names Bruce Kimpston New Superintendent of Ankeny Schools

The Ankeny school board has selected Bruce Kimpston, the district's current associate superintendent of schools, .

The school board voted unanimously at its regular meeting Monday to appoint Kimpston to the role, offering him a one-year contract. Kimpston has been with the district since 2009.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next superintendent of the ,” Kimpston said following the vote. "I have been most impressed with the people in our school community, whether they are students, teachers, support staff, parents, or community members. My experience reflects that people in Ankeny care about their schools."

Kimpston's first official day as superintendent will be July 1. His salary will be $182,250.

Over the next few weeks, Wendt will work with Kimpston during the transition, said board President George Tracy.

"We feel like he is the person for the job," Tracy said following the meeting.

Tracy said Kimpston will start some of his duties as superintendent this week, including staff selection for at least two vacant district cabinet positions. Kimpston's own position, as well as associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction, must be filled.

Ankeny taxpayers filled the board room early Monday night hoping to learn more about the severance package paid to Wendt.

The administrator was not at the meeting, but Ankeny Patch was later told Wendt is using some vacation time, which is why he was not at tonight's meeting.

, with Ankeny school board members saying they believed he did not have another position to go to. However,  for an annual salary of $50,000 more than the roughly $176,000 he earned a year in Ankeny.

 that given his new job, Wendt should return the severance money to Ankeny. 

Want the full story from tonight's meeting? Check back on Ankeny Patch Tuesday morning.