Like many of you across Osage, Riceville and even around the state, I am still in shock.
Barb Schwamman, superintendent of the Osage and Riceville school districts, officially announced her resignation Tuesday in a statement to the community and school boards.
Thankfully, I had a heads up.
Barb and I met Monday afternoon, as we often have over the years, to talk about projects we were working on together between the school districts and Nelson Media Company. For those who may not know — though I assume most do — Osage CSD and Riceville CSD have worked with the video division of Nelson Media Company since 2020.
In many ways, part of our company’s story began with Barb.
At the time, I had just stepped away from my role as a meteorologist at KIMT and taken the leap to start Nelson Media Company from scratch. We were brand new. Barb was one of our very first customers — alongside Mitchell County Regional Health Center. There wasn’t a long résumé behind us. There wasn’t a proven track record.
There was simply belief.
Barb saw the value of telling her districts’ story in a modern, forward-thinking way. She trusted us to help showcase Osage and Riceville through professional storytelling and video. That trust helped build our company in ways I will never forget.
That story is for another day.
But as I reflect this week, I — and many others — have much to thank her for during her nearly decade-long tenure.
Through our media company, whether via video projects or newspaper relationships, I’ve worked with dozens of superintendents across Iowa. Mrs. Schwamman is in her own class.
No one bleeds green — or their school colors — quite like she does.
She’s at the games. She’s at the concerts. She’s at the community events. Not every superintendent does that. In fact, many do not. Nearly every public-facing effort to promote the district had her fingerprints on it. From six years of video projects with our team to countless community initiatives, she was always in the forefront, working to make everything just right.
The reality of being a superintendent today is this: you are essentially the CEO of an organization where you don’t fully control the business environment. Finances are tight. Expectations are high. A small number of complaints can feel overwhelming. The pressure is relentless.
And that kind of stress can take a toll.
What I am thankful for today is that I am writing an editorial — not an obituary.
No job, no mission, no title is worth sacrificing your health.
Most superintendents last three to five years in a district because of the grueling demands. Barb doubled that.
I am sad she is leaving. Our districts will feel it. The community will feel it. I will feel it.
But I also know this: I still have a friend here. She won’t be far away.
Osage and Riceville were fortunate to have a leader who cared as deeply as she did for nearly 10 years. A true pioneer in Iowa education. A superintendent who led from the front, promoted with pride and gave everything she had to her schools.
Now, we enjoy these final months celebrating what she helped build — and begin the search for another great leader who can carry that torch forward.
Thank you, Barb.