Estherville, IA (KICD) — The Estherville Lincoln Central School District is in the market for a new Superintendent as its current leader moves on to a bigger district.

Tara Paul has served at the ELC Superintendent since 2011 after starting her career in education in Wilton as an elementary and junior high teacher before also serving as the curriculum director as well as coordinator of ESL and equity for Columbus Community Schools.

While in Estherville, Paul is credited with leading a focus on improved teaching and learning to increase achievement and promote the success of all students while also implementing a district-wide Multi-Tiered Structure of Support system to meet the needs of differentiated sutdents.

Paul was named one of three finalists out of more than 30 total candidates along with Louisa-Muscatine Superintendent Mike Van Sickle, who was a runner-up for the Superintendent of the Year award in 2024, and Tony Hiatt, the director of Elementary Education in the Pleasant Valley School District.

Paul will replace retiring Indianola Superintendent Ted Ihns when she officially takes over her new role July 1st.