The Sioux Center Community School District Board of Education will appoint a successor to Scott Varilek at its Monday, October 19 meeting. Varilek resigned his position at a recent board meeting.
Superintendent Gary McEldowney says Varilek brought a valuable perspective to the public school district through his experience in city government, community connections, and commitment to students.
Varilek had planned not to seek another term in 2027. McEldowney says he decided stepping aside earlier would allow a successor to participate in the district’s developing long-term plans.
A Steady Presence on the Board
McEldowney says Varilek’s background helped shape the perspective he brought to school board discussions.
“He had spent time as a city council member. He was born and raised here. He is Sioux Center, loves Sioux Center through and through to the core.”
McEldowney described Varilek as a steady presence whose perspective helped fellow board members and administrators consider issues from different angles. He says he expects to continue seeking Varilek’s advice even after his departure.
“It’s the type of situation where I feel very confidently, I can reach out to him and under a plethora of topics and he will be very helpful. He’s a wise man.”
McEldowney also credited continuity on the school board as an important factor in the district’s success. He says having members working toward shared goals was a major consideration when he decided to pursue the superintendent position.
Successor to Join Long-Term Planning
McEldowney says Varilek’s decision came as the district began considering needs and plans extending beyond his anticipated time on the board.
The district has been examining aging facilities and potential needs over the next five to ten years. McEldowney says Varilek wanted someone who could participate in that work for the longer term to have an opportunity to join the board.
As the board prepared to select a successor, McEldowney directed prospective members to the board’s leadership.
“We’ve been very blessed to have a lot of people interested in filling that role. And those, those people that have had that interest, I send them to Tim Gesink. Tim’s our long standing board president.”
The successor is scheduled to be appointed October 19. McEldowney says the appointment will fill the vacancy until the November 2027 election.
