WATERLOO -- The challenge of boosting student achievement drew Waterloo Community Schools' new superintendent to the job.

Gary Norris, 57, was unanimously approved Monday evening by the Waterloo Board of Education to lead the district beginning July 1. He has been superintendent of the 42,000-student Sarasota (Fla.) County School District since 2004. The Waterloo district has about 10,000 students.

"I've been a superintendent 26 years now, and my most enjoyable moments have been working with schools to significantly raise student achievement," he said in a phone interview from his Sarasota home following the meeting.

Norris recognized the opportunity to tackle that issue the first time he saw the board's advertisement for a superintendent.

"What the board said their goals were … increasing student achievement and closing the achievement gap were right up there as No. 1," he said. "Those were the top two goals, and those were the goals that most attracted me to the district."

"I think we're getting a very qualified, a very energetic person," board member Mike Kindschi said before the vote. "I think he'll be a great asset to our staff and take us into the future," Kindschi said.

Board member Lyle Schmitt, citing Norris' emphasis on student achievement, called his hiring "another great fit" following Superintendent Dewitt Jones' six-year tenure.

Jones announced in October that he would retire June 30. Board members formally approved his retirement Monday.

Norris, a native of Junction City, Kan., started his career in 1972 as a vocal music teacher and became a superintendent a decade later. He holds a doctorate in education leadership from Kansas State University. He and his wife, Julie, have two adult children.

Norris' first-year salary in a three-year contract will be $195,000. Other benefits include a travel allowance, a tax-sheltered annuity and a professional growth fund.

Board member Pam Miller said the district advertised that salary package, which she called "the going rate" to attract the right type of candidate. The contract does not include incentive pay for completing mutually agreed-upon goals, as was discussed at one point by the board.

"But that's not off the table," said Miller. "That's something we will talk to him about in a year."

The board met in special session Monday to approve the superintendent's contract following a four-month search.

"It was a long, grueling process," board member Judy Fossell said of the search. A total of 38 candidates applied for the position, 10 of whom search firm Ray & Associates of Cedar Rapids recommended for the board's consideration.

"We had strong candidates across the board," said Schmitt. He suggested candidates now view the district more favorably than they would have a few years ago. "They see an improving district and an opportunity to make a difference."

The board interviewed five of the candidates last month before choosing three finalists and visiting their school districts. Names were not made public.

"We were very pleased with the pool of finalists," said Miller, but Norris is the exact candidate the board had in mind. "We developed this profile and he fit the profile to a 'T,' what we were looking for," she noted.

Schmitt said Norris has proven he can help close achievement gaps faced by low-income students and improve a district's overall performance.

"It was a track record that caused me to favor Dr. Norris," he said.

"We thought that he would come in and work very well with where we are and take us to the next level," said Miller.

Board President Bernice Richard agreed, adding her belief that Norris will be able to motivate the district's educators.

"He's really a tough task master," she said. "But he does it in a caring way that makes his staff want to improve themselves."

According to Sarasota media reports, Norris announced at the end of February he was seeking a new job. Since then, he has been a superintendent finalist in two other districts. He was not chosen for the top position in Albuquerque, N.M. Late last week, he was named a superintendent finalist in Fayetteville, Ark.

But Norris said the Waterloo position held a special allure: returning him to the Midwest.

"Most of my family lives in the central area of Kansas," said Norris.

He has worked in the Midwest before -- as a teacher and superintendent in Kansas districts and as a superintendent in Hibbing, Minn.

And Norris believes he can have a greater impact in a district the size of Waterloo than in larger school systems. He can be a more visible, hands-on administrator in Waterloo than is possible in Sarasota County.

"I went through one phase in my life where bigger was better, so to speak," said Norris. "But I really am all about impacting students, and I honestly believe working with a smaller group of schools I can have a bigger impact."

Contact Andrew Wind at (319) 291-1507 or andrew.wind@wcfcourier.com.