Toliver presented with State award

Jess Toliver has been the Superintendent of the Eagle Grove Area Community School District for 11 years. In his time here, he has done many great things to the benefit of both students and staff members. As a result, he was recently awarded the TEAM (Together, Educators and Administrators Make it Happen) Award which is given to honor people who work in the field to enhance public education.

Toliver was nominated by Terry Meyer, the Eagle Grove Education Association president, in representation of the teachers and support staff of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA).

“He has many responsibilities, and throughout, has always wanted the best for our schools and community. From the beginning, he has worked collaboratively with the association not only in the negotiation process, but consults us when contract issues arise,” Meyer said in her opening comments of the nomination.

She continued by pointing out just one of the ways that Toliver has gone above and beyond for the betterment of their staff.

“One of the things he did for our teachers that stands out in my mind, above all others, is what he did when our bargaining rights were about to be gutted by the state legislature. He and Tiffini were out of state to adopt and welcome another baby into their family. He hurried back to Iowa to make sure we were able to work out a two year contract agreement so that we wouldn’t have to face recertification right away,” she wrote.

“When I heard about this story...not many people would do that,” said Mike Beranek, ISEA state level president.

He went on to talk of his amazement of other stories he has heard about Toliver and his family like how the community rallied around them after their house fire in December of 2018.

For the full story, see this week's Eagle Grove Eagle. Subscribe by calling 1-800-558-1244 ext 122 or email Deb at circulation@midamericapub.com or by clicking here.