Lone Tree School District Announces Administrative Restructuring

District downsizes to one principal, enters sharing agreement for business operations

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:40pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of blurred shapes and colors representing the activity of a school, conveying a sense of community and education.The administrative restructuring in Lone Tree aims to provide unified leadership and operational efficiency across the district's schools.Lone Tree Today

The Lone Tree Community School District has announced a restructuring of its administrative leadership for the 2026-2027 school year. The changes include consolidating to one principal for all grades and entering into a sharing agreement with West Branch Community School District for school business official services.

Why it matters

The restructuring aims to improve operational efficiency and provide unified leadership across all grade levels in the district. Consolidating the principal role and sharing business operations with a neighboring district are strategies many small school systems are exploring to maintain quality education while managing budget constraints.

The details

Amber Jacque has been appointed as the lone principal for Lone Tree CSD students from Pre-K through 12th grade, replacing the current structure of separate elementary and secondary principals. The district also entered into a sharing agreement with West Branch CSD, with Angie Klinkkammer serving as the shared School Business Official overseeing finance and operations for both districts.

  • The Lone Tree school board approved the administrative restructuring at its February 18th meeting.
  • Jacque's appointment as the sole principal was confirmed at the board's March 25th meeting.
  • The new administrative structure and shared business services will take effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

The players

Amber Jacque

The newly appointed principal who will oversee all grade levels in the Lone Tree Community School District.

Tyler Hotz

The superintendent of the Lone Tree Community School District, who cited Jacque's experience and knowledge of the district as key factors in her selection as the sole principal.

Angie Klinkkammer

The School Business Official who will serve both the Lone Tree and West Branch Community School Districts under the new sharing agreement.

Lone Tree Community School District

A small school district in Iowa that is restructuring its administrative leadership and entering a sharing agreement to improve operational efficiency.

West Branch Community School District

The neighboring school district that is partnering with Lone Tree CSD to share a School Business Official position.

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What they’re saying

“Amber Jacque has been in our district for a number of years, and has a lot of experience with Lone Tree schools. So, bringing someone with so much knowledge and foundation for the Lone Tree district is going to serve us as we move forward with this new transition. So, I can't express how much having that knowledge base is going to support her transition.”

— Tyler Hotz, Superintendent

What’s next

The Lone Tree school board will continue to monitor the implementation of the administrative restructuring and shared business services agreement throughout the 2026-2027 school year.

The takeaway

Small school districts like Lone Tree are exploring creative ways to maintain quality education and operational efficiency in the face of budget constraints, including consolidating leadership roles and sharing administrative services with neighboring districts.