Waukee Schools Cited as One of Iowa's Top Workplaces

The Waukee Community School District has been recognized in the Des Moines Register’s Top Workplaces 2013.

Superintendent David Wilkerson said the district has changed significantly in his 20 years – growing from about 1,100 students to today’s enrollment of around 8,000 – but has remained committed to employee satisfaction.

Jo Ann McConaeghy, a teacher at the Prairieview ninth-grade school and a 30-year veteran of the district, said that she, “from Day One, just felt comfortable and important.” One way the district does that is by encouraging innovation and even risk taking, especially as teachers face new requirements under the federal No Child Left Behind and other programs. Teachers are free to advance their own ideas for innovation to improve student performance.

“We want our teachers to be current on education practices and try new things,” he said.