Oskaloosa Middle School will welcome Clint Gingerich as its new principal for the 2025-26 school year, pending School Board approval.
Gingerich brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering student growth and achievement. His demonstrated leadership reflects a strong alignment with the Oskaloosa School vision culture, building a learning community that is for all students and staff.
Gingerich, who is currently the associate principal at OMS, has been with the district since 2012 and in a leadership role since fall 2019. While he is already highly involved with students and staff in his current role, he will officially begin his tenure as principal on July 1, 2025. One of his initial priorities will be guiding the search for a new associate principal, set to begin later this week.
Gingerich began his teaching career in 2011 in Underwood Community Schools, where he taught high school business and coached baseball. Over the years, he has served as an instructional coach, middle school athletic director, and head baseball coach in Oskaloosa. After briefly serving as the principal in Pekin Schools, Gingerich returned to Oskaloosa in 2019 to serve as assistant principal alongside current Principal Mark Scholes, who passed away last year.
“Our hearts are still healing from the tragic loss of Mark Scholes,” Gingerich shared. “Mark’s leadership, vision, and impact are woven into the very fabric of our school, and I am honored to continue building on the foundation he created. I am incredibly proud of how our middle school team has come together during this difficult time, demonstrating resilience and commitment to our students. It’s a privilege to lead this remarkable team as we move forward together.”
Gingerich credits the OMS leadership team, staff, and Linda Brock (who served as interim principal) for their unwavering support and dedication.
“Linda and our staff have been instrumental in ensuring our school remains a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment during a challenging time. Their efforts deserve tremendous recognition, and I am grateful for their trust and collaboration,” Gingerich said.
Looking ahead, Gingerich aims to continue fostering a culture of healing, unity, and engaged learning at OMS.
“We want to ensure our staff remains a united team that provides exceptional learning opportunities for all students,” he said. “It’s about working together to keep students at the center of everything we do.”
Superintendent Mike Fisher expressed confidence in Gingerich’s ability to lead Oskaloosa Middle School. “Clint brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our students, staff, and community,” Fisher said. “His leadership is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and a vision for academics, and he is all in on our school’s vision culture.”
Gingerich graduated high school from the Iowa Mennonite School, now known as Hillcrest Academy. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern College and later completed his master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa. He and his wife, Hillary, have lived in Oskaloosa since 2012.
Hillary works at Oskaloosa Elementary School, and their two children, Jaysik, a first grader at Osky Elementary, and Tierzah, a preschool student at Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center, are students in the district.
“This is home for us,” Gingerich said. “We are grateful for the acceptance and support of the Oskaloosa community, our church family at Central Church, and the outstanding tradition of Oskaloosa Schools.”