Decorah elementary school principal Rick Varney nominated for Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year award

School Administrators of Iowa has named John Cline Elementary School and West Side Early Childhood Center principal Rick Varney as one of three finalists for the 2017 Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year award.

Varney has been an elementary principal in the Decorah Community School District since 2005.  Before coming to Decorah, he also worked as an elementary principal in the Central Community School District and as an elementary teacher in the Bennett and Tipton Community School Districts.

Varney was nominated by his peers.  He will be recognized at SAI's awards reception August 2 in Des Moines.

He commented, "It is a blessing and privilege to work in Decorah every day. There are so many wonderful things going on that benefit our students. I am honored by this nomination, but it truly recognizes the collaborative efforts of our staff, students, families and our community members in the Decorah Community School District for focusing on what's in the best interest of students."