Noah to take over the helm of R-5 schools as Davis' successor

The Nevada R-5 Board of Education has announced the selection of Craig Noah as the district's next superintendent. Noah will take over the district's top position on July 1, when the current superintendent, Dr. Ted Davis, will retire.

School board president Dr. Warren Lovinger said, "The board is delighted to have Mr. Noah joining us to continue the tradition of excellence in administration of the R-5 School District."

Noah is currently serving his third year as superintendent of the northeastern Missouri's Trenton R-9 schools. Reared in Bucklin, Mo., a small town near Brookfield, Mo., he earned his bachelor's degree at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo., where he studied physical education.

He taught classes and coached in Cuba, Mo., schools and received a Master of Education degree from Northwest Missouri State University. From Cuba, he went to Keytesville, where he was a teacher, then principal, then superintendent, earning his education specialist credential at Central Missouri State University.

Currently a doctoral candidate at St. Louis University, Noah plans to have earned his doctorate in education in May.

Davis will leave the post at the end of June, having served as Nevada R-5 superintendent for 11 years.

During that time, many changes, most of the positive, have taken place in the district, ranging from building and technology improvements like adding air conditioning to the high school and increased academic achievement. Davis is quick to give credit for achievements to the teachers, staff, students and patrons, all of whom he says are the reason for the district's successes.

After Davis announced his retirement plans in November, the board enlisted the superintendent search services of the Missouri School Board's Association, with Dr. Paul James officiating. The organization serves as a liaison and facilitates the search process. In November, the board had set a goal of identifying Davis' successor by February.

Lovinger said that the board interviewed "four excellent candidates," and that the board is pleased that Noah has accepted the position.

Noah and his wife, Julie, have four children.