Prairie Lakes AEA Tabs BV Alumnus as Chief Administrator
1989 graduate has served Iowa students from Orange City to Keokuk
Dr. Dan Mart, a 1989 graduate of Buena Vista University, is the new Chief Administrator for the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency.
AEA officials cited Mart’s experience in rural and mid-sized Iowa school districts, his connections and work with Iowa legislators, and experience in enacting strategic plans that helped him stand out among candidates for a position in which he’ll help direct 235 full- and part-time employees serving 38 school districts across Buena Vista, Calhoun, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, and Wright and counties.
“My BV experience was great as the campus was sized just right for me and the variety of student organizations I could serve really benefited me as I began my career in education."
Dan Mart, 1989 BVU graduate
Following his graduation from BVU, Mart taught high school business, driver’s education, and coached at MOC-FV in Orange City. In his final two years with the Dutchmen, he served as the Curriculum and Technology Director for the district.
In 2000, Mart was named the 6-12th Grade Principal for the Graettinger Community School District. During this four-year stint, he became PK-12th Grade Principal and shared Curriculum Director for the districts of Ruthven-Ayrshire and Terril, his hometown. After assisting the Graettinger and Terril Boards of Education with whole grade-sharing negotiations, Mart became Superintendent for the two districts.
Upon a successful voter-approved merger of those districts, Mart was hired by the North Polk Community School District as it negotiated student enrollment growth. As North Polk Superintendent of Schools, he helped oversee the construction of two new buildings, a new outdoor activities complex, several renovations and additions, and the development of a new wastewater treatment plant at the school in Alleman, Iowa.
“I was at North Polk for 12 years and the school enrollment grew from 1,200 to 2,000 in that time,” he says.
Mart opted for early retirement in 2021, then received a call to serve the Keokuk Community School District as Interim Superintendent. The father of three children, Mart served in his role at Keokuk through June 30. He assumed the AEA leadership post on July 1.
He has seen much of Iowa in his career, having worked in school districts from Orange City to Keokuk and a couple in between. Dr. Mart earned his master’s degree at Morningside University and his administrative endorsement through BVU. He then completed a Certificate of Advanced Studies and finally a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Iowa State University.
During his time as an undergraduate, Mart served the Beavers as a manager/statistician with the women’s basketball team. He was also a member of Student Orientation Staff, Student Senate, and more.
“My BV experience was great as the campus was sized just right for me and the variety of student organizations I could serve really benefited me as I began my career in education,” he says.
He is eager as he begins his next career chapter, that of Prairie Lakes AEA Chief Administrator.
“I am really looking forward to serving an organization where I began my administrative career,” says Mart, who served on the Steering Committee when Lakeland AEA 3 merged with Arrowhead AEA 5 and became Prairie Lakes AEA 8. “This is coming full circle for me as I’ll work each day with many dedicated professionals in striving to provide the best educational opportunities for the districts we serve.”