Aaron Davidson is a family man, and his move to the Clear Creek-Amana School District is allowing him and his wife, Krystal, to rejoin their three children.

Davidson, who is currently the executive director of educational services in the Fort Dodge Community School District, accepted the district superintendent position in the Clear Creek-Amana School District this week, pending board approval.

His last day in Fort Dodge will be June 30.

“Aaron is an all-around great guy,” FDCSD Superintendent Josh Porter said. “His family has loved it here, and he was a great middle school principal. He’s been an essential piece to the Fort Dodge Community School District for a long time. These last two years have been especially great.

“You don’t find many guys like him.”

Davidson’s three children — Jace, Christian and Taytum — currently live in the Iowa City/Coralville area. They are all either enrolled at the University of Iowa or doing graduate work there.

As such, that’s exactly where he and his wife want to be.

“All of our kids are in that area, and they plan to stay there,” Davidson said. “The opening came up, and I applied on March 2. I just thought I would throw my name in for the opportunity.

“Fast forward a month and a half after a couple of interviews, I was offered and accepted the position.”

Davidson has enjoyed his time in the FDCSD, working with mentors and friends.

“Being here day-to-day with Josh, (former school board president) Stu Cochrane and now (current school board president) Dan Altman has been a blessing,” Davidson said. “Josh helped me grow in my leadership as his right-hand man.”

Davidson, a graduate of St. Edmond High School and a Fort Dodge native, quickly found a comfort zone working alongside Porter.

“The last two years, we found a good groove,” Porter said. “It’s a bittersweet move for sure. It will be hard to move forward without Josh.

“He has institutional knowledge and works hard on those steps. He always has my back.”

Davidson started as a teacher in Fort Dodge in 2000, just after graduating as a long-term sub at Fair Oaks Middle School under Phil Wormsley (principal) and Don Miller (athletic director).

“I came through the ranks as a St. Edmond grad, but ‘Once a Dodger always a Dodger’ rang true for me,” Davidson said. “I was born and raised in Fort Dodge, and people in Fort Dodge take on that personality and embrace the pride of the community.

“So many people don’t give Fort Dodge a chance, but being from Fort Dodge makes you want to work that much harder.”

Davidson was at Fair Oaks Middle School from 2001 until 2009. He left to be principal at Pomeroy-Palmer, which housed pre-K/eighth grade students alongside seventh and eighth grade students at Pocahontas Area.

Davidson was there until 2012. He then became the principal at Pocahontas Area until 2019, where he was also co-head baseball coach with current Fort Dodge Activities Director Brandon Ruffridge.

“Pocahontas was a great place to work and raise a family,” Davidson said. “I saw an opening at Fort Dodge Middle School, though, and being in Fort Dodge was my dream job as an administrator.

“Working under Dr. Wormsley and (Gary) Mr. Reiners empowered me to think about going that direction (being an administrator in Fort Dodge). It was great to build team leadership in the district.”

Davidson returned and became the Fort Dodge Middle School principal in 2019.

“It’s been awesome to be a part of that and see the leaders in front of you,” Davidson said. “Working with teachers in a really special place. People from Fort Dodge are very hirable employees, and I learned that as middle school principal and director of education.

“Fort Dodge is a special place.”

Davidson has been in his current role since 2023.

“When Josh came into my office and pitched the idea of being executive director of schools, it didn’t take me long to decide,” Daivdson said. “I appreciate Josh giving me the opportunity and the leadership that goes with it. I’ve learned so much working with Josh and the board.

“I knew that in order to succeed in that role, I had to be the best version of myself.”

Davidson’s wife, Krystal, is a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, as are Christian and Taytum. Jace graduated from Pocahontas Area.

Clear Creek-Amana is a Class 4A school made up of the communities of Tiffin (population 4,500), Oxford (797), Amana Colonies (1,600), and the western edge of Coralville and North Liberty. Students are drawn from Iowa and Johnson Counties. The community-based population is around 17,300.

“There is so much going on (at Clear Creek-Amana), and we have a lot of options both professionally and recreationally,” Davidson said. “It was too good to not at least throw my hat in. I’m the type of person that loves new challenges.

“My last class to become a (certified) superintendent is this Saturday. I’m glad Clear Creek Amana put their faith in me.”

Porter has already started the process of finding a replacement for Davidson.

“We’re already planning and going through those discussions,” Porter said. “We have to figure out the dynamics of what we want to do.

“We will look into candidates and see what direction we will take next.”