Lincoln Public Schools Names New Superintendent Amid Leadership Transition
In an unexpected turn of events, the leadership at Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) has undergone a significant change. Dr. Skretta has been appointed as the superintendent, following an impressive six-month period where he demonstrated exemplary performance without requiring any assistance. This move was confirmed by Rauner, who stated, “We are fortunate to have a dedicated and highly-skilled executive team at Lincoln Public Schools.”
Meanwhile, the former superintendent, Gausman, expressed his pride in serving the district and extended his best wishes to all. He noted, “In our agreement, the District wanted assurance that my expertise and experience would be available to them via an on-call basis, through the remainder of my term as Superintendent Emeritus.”
Gausman joined LPS in the summer of 2022 after a comprehensive four-month national search. His initial salary was reported to be the highest of any superintendent in Nebraska at that time. His resignation, which came unexpectedly in the middle of the school year and well before the end of his contract, was influenced by his desire to explore new opportunities after two decades as a superintendent.
During his last board meeting, Gausman highlighted several district achievements, such as increased high school enrollment and the initiation of programs aimed at improving staff retention, recruitment, and culture. He also mentioned the expansion of early childhood programming and facilities.
After the board approved his retirement and resignation agreement, both Gausman and board members were notably reticent in providing details to the media regarding his departure. As per the agreement, Gausman was placed on paid leave starting December 27 and transitioned to the role of superintendent emeritus, receiving an additional $83,430 in separation pay directed toward his retirement plan. The agreement also restricted his access to school property without prior permission.
The district emphasized that Gausman’s emeritus role was intended to facilitate a smooth transition and minimize disruptions. Educational leadership expert Rachel White from the University of Texas at Austin remarked that only a small fraction of superintendents transition to emeritus roles each year, describing Gausman’s brief tenure and subsequent emeritus position as atypical.
Gausman’s time at LPS was shorter than his predecessors and his previous role in Sioux City, where he served for 14 years. However, his career in Sioux City faced scrutiny in 2023 due to allegations of attempted bribery concerning board member selections, leading to a complaint filed with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Despite this, the LPS board maintained their confidence in Gausman.
In response to these allegations, Gausman filed a lawsuit against Sioux City school board members for allegedly violating open meetings laws. A judge found that one of the sessions indeed breached the law. Furthermore, in January 2025, additional ethics complaints against Gausman were allowed to proceed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
To gain further insight into the circumstances surrounding Gausman’s departure, the Flatwater Free Press has submitted an open records request for emails exchanged by LPS school board members and associate superintendents referencing Gausman between November and December 2024.
