by Theodore Wiesehan

    The Tri County School Board approved the release of Superintendent/K-4 Principal Tim DeWaard at an April 26 special meeting, clearing the way for DeWaard to serve as superintendent for Centennial Public Schools.
     DeWaard accepted the Centennial position after the Centennial School Board offered it to him during an April 23 special meeting.
     "I've always been impressed with Centennial Schools," he said. "Being in the same conference for the last four years just confirmed everything I've thought. It looks like a great place to be."
     DeWaard will replace Dr. Brian Maher, who will leave the Centennial superintendent position to serve as superintendent of Kearney Public Schools.
     Originally from South Dakota, DeWaard has no family or connections in the Centennial community, but is looking forward to the transition.
     "I want to be visible out in the school and in the community as much as possible," DeWaard said. "Basically, I want to get to know everybody first and support them in any way that I can."
     DeWaard's wife, Jan, works as a school psychologist for Educational Service Unit 6 in Milford. They have three children - a daughter, Kristen, who will graduate high school this year and plans to attend University of Nebraska-Kearney, and sons, John and Aaron, in eighth and sixth grades, respectively.
     DeWaard has served as superintendent/K-4 principal at Tri County for four years. Before that he was superintendent at Valentine Rural High School for three years. He began as a principal/teacher for Eustice schools in 1992, before being named superintendent three years later. When Eustice consolidated with Farnam he continued to serve as superintendent for the consolidated district.
     He received his bachelor's degree in math education from South Dakota State University, Brookings, and a master's degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. DeWaard continued his education with a specialist degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
     DeWaard hopes to continue what he sees as Centennial's excellence in education.
     "We just need to continue what they have been doing," DeWaard said, "and continue looking at what we can do that's best for the kids."