Delta hires high school principal as superintendent

Delta High School principal Nate Crowden will take over as superintendent of the small, rural school district starting July 1.

Crowden, 48, has worked in the Delta School District for the past 13 years. He's been the high school principal for the past decade.

"I appreciate the opportunity," Crowden said of his new administrative job.

In the Delta school system, he has worked as a teacher, basketball coach and athletic director.

"I have seen it from every angle," Crowden said, who grew up in the Delta area and graduated from Delta High School.

He previously worked in the Woodland School District in Marble Hill, Mo., and the Oran School District.

Delta's school board selected Crowden at its meeting on Jan. 17. School officials announced the hiring on Tuesday.

Crowden will replace Tom Allen, who is retiring after nine years as superintendent of the district. The school system has just more than 300 students in kindergarten through high school.

Allen said his retirement isn't a surprise. He's been working only part time as superintendent for the past year.

Crowden plans to spend the next several months working alongside Allen, who said Crowden was a "quality candidate."

The board gave Crowden a two-year contract as superintendent.

School officials have yet to hire a new high school principal.

Crowden received a master's degree in May 1994 and a specialist education degree in August 2003 from Southeast Missouri State University.

He has served as district manager and committee member for the Missouri State High School Activity Association.

He and his wife, Christy, have four sons. The family lives in Jackson.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123