"I believe Hastings is in a very good place, and I am proud of how we have kept the focus on students. The daily pockets of awesomeness are continual reminders of what quality public education should look like."”

Superintendent McDowell

Serving the public

McDowell is a member of the Hastings Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Hastings.

In the midst of a month-long food service strike and with a referendum vote looming in November for continued levying needed to meet district expenses, the Hastings School Board will also begin the search for a new superintendent.

Current Superintendent Dr. Bob McDowell announced Thursday that he is resigning from his position at the end of this school year.

McDowell was named superintendent of Hastings ISD 200 in April 2020, and he took the helm at the district on July 1, 2020. In his three years, he had to navigate the district through the COVID pandemic, and many school board meetings were contentious.

McDowell previously was assistant superintendent at the Stillwater School District. He started his career as an education teacher in Eau Claire and has served several districts as a principal, assistant principal, technology coordinator and coach.

McDowell was given permission by the board last year to engage in education consulting and teaching on his personal time. He is an adjunct professor at Bethel University. He also works with PartnerED, school leadership consultants.

McDowell sent the following message to school district families:

“Over the last three years, WE have accomplished so many things, from our pandemic response, developing a strategic plan, realigning the elementary literacy work, reviewing secondary programming, redesigning and implementing many policies, updating our safety measures, completing bond projects, making tough financial choices to keep us in a strong financial position coming out of the pandemic while using ESSER dollars to help with identified needs, increasing our level of communications and interactions with the community, changing the learning loss trajectory, from distance learning, in one year, and so much more. 

“As I shared in my state of the district and the latest strategic plan update, I believe Hastings is in a very good place, and I am proud of how we have kept the focus on students. The daily pockets of awesomeness are continual reminders of what quality public education should look like. And our staff continues to step up and do amazing things for the students of ISD200, and I appreciate each and every one of them for that daily commitment.

“Yesterday, I shared with the school board that I will be resigning after the end of this school year. This has been an extremely long and difficult decision for me, and it carries a lot of mixed emotions because I truly love this work, believe in this work, and understand the importance of our work in supporting your students. This is my 28th year in public education, and upon much reflection and conversation with my family, I believe the right decision for me at this time is to pursue other endeavors that will continue to support the work in different ways.

The timing of this decision should provide the school board with ample time to begin a selection process. I will “continue to support the work and the board through the rest of the year and will be leaving with an extreme amount of pride. I want to thank all of our Raider families for the support you continue to provide the amazing students and staff we have in Hastings.”

School Board Chair Lisa Hedin said McDowell worked diligently to make Hastings Schools better.

“As a Hastings School Board member and a parent of two students who graduated during Dr McDowell’s tenure as Superintendent, I am deeply thankful for the great work that was accomplished during his time with Hastings School District.  Dr. McDowell has held an unwavering support for all students and has kept student’s interests at the center of all district decisions. He has worked tirelessly to develop and implement processes that align to our strategic anchors of Engaged Learners, Effective Operations, and Communication and Collaboration. Our District is stronger for Dr. McDowell’s leadership, he will be missed, and we wish him success in future endeavors.”

McDowell is a member of the Hastings Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Hastings.