Iowa City Community School District students and families recieved at email on the morning of May 22 titled, “A message from Superintendent Degner.” In the email, Superintendent Matt Degner announced that his mother had been diagnosed with Stage IV terminal cancer, and he had made the decision to step down as superintendent.
Degner has requested to take over the role of executive director of secondary schools. The role is currently held by Lucas Ptacek, who announced he was vacating his role after this school year.
He will continue to serve as superintendent through the end of June. If his transfer is approved, he will begin his new role at the beginning of July. Degner said he hopes that this will allow him to spend more time with his family while they navigate a difficult time.
In his email, Degner said that the district’s Board of Directors will soon start the process of finding an outside individual to serve as interim superintendent.
Degner’s time with the district began in July 2013, when he was the principal of South East Junior High School. He had this role for two school years. In between then and taking over as superintendent in July 2020, he also served as director of secondary schools and assistant superintendent.
Degner was honored as Superintendent of the Year by K-12 Dive in 2025. The organization praised his work establishing full-day preschool programs at each elementary school and his battle against the state’s private school vouchers.
Degner’s decision also comes at a time when the district has been struggling financially, putting the administration’s leadership under fire. Multiple community members have called for Degner’s resignation at school board meetings in the past few months. Degner did not mention the district’s financial state when announcing his decision.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as Superintendent of the Iowa City Community School District,” Degner wrote. “I am grateful for the dedicated educators, leaders, and community members who continue to advocate for and provide an outstanding education to all students in the ICCSD.”
