Dr. Theron J. Schutte

Dr. Theron J. Schutte, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Theron Schutte began his duties as superintendent of the Marshalltown Community School District on July 1, 2016. Dr. Schutte is a proud 1981 Marshalltown High School graduate.

Dr. Schutte has served as an Iowa public school educator for thirty-eight years. He has previously served as superintendent of the Bettendorf and Boone Community School Districts. He began his career as a teacher, coach, teacher-leader, assistant principal and principal in Clinton, Iowa and Boone, Iowa.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education (history) from Central College in Pella, a master’s and education specialist degree in educational administration from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Iowa State University.

Dr. Schutte has served on the  Executive and Governing Boards of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and is a past president of School Administrators of Iowa (SAI). He was a 2020 recipient of the Iowa State University Alumni Achievement Award from the College of Human Sciences and is a former Iowa Middle Level Educator of the Year. Dr. Schutte and his wife Conny have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. 

Shauna Smith

Shauna Smith, Director of Instruction

Director of Instruction, Shauna Smith, earned her bachelor’s degree from Central College in in elementary education with a middle school endorsement. Mrs. Smith taught 6th grade at Green Mountain Elementary and Lenihan Intermediate School for a combination of seven years. During her teaching experience, Mrs. Smith earned her Master’s degree in education leadership from Iowa State University. When Teacher Leadership and Compensation began in Iowa, she served MCSD as the PK-6 Curriculum and Professional Development Leader for three years before launching into her first administration role at Bondurant-Farrar as the middle school Dean of Students. She left Bondurant-Farrar to serve at South Tama County Schools as the Director of Curriculum and Student Services before proudly returning to MCSD as the Director of Instruction. Mrs. Smith is continuing her education at the University of Northern Iowa and has completed her Advanced Studies certificate for superintendency and is currently enrolled in their doctoral program.

Matt Cretsinger

Matt Cretsinger, Director of Special Services

Matt Cretsinger has been the Director of Special Services for the Marshalltown Community School District since July 1, 2012. He is responsible for overseeing many programs and services, including special education, 504 services, Social-Emotional Behavioral Health, school-based mental health, the Therapeutic Classrooms program, school counseling, School Resource Specialists, School Nursing services, Pre-K programming for children with disabilities, community partnerships, and Medicaid services. He also serves as the Foster Care Coordinator for the District.   

Mr. Cretsinger has been an educator since 2004 and has been serving in leadership positions since 2008. He has previous experience serving students and families in a variety of other roles, including Team Leader of Behavioral Supports, Program Assistant for Special Education, Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant, and School Psychologist. Mr. Cretsinger also has experience as an adjunct college instructor, a Therapist for a mental health center, a Program Director for a psychiatric medical institute for children (PMIC), and a Mental Health Counselor for a residential treatment setting. 

Mr. Cretsinger has a master’s degree and a specialist degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Mr. Cretsinger also holds a master’s degree and specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Drake University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Simpson College. He also is an inaugural graduate of the Collaborative for Academic & Social Emotional Learning (CASEL) Fellowship and holds certification in the Collaborative Problem Solving approach.

Amy Harmsen

Amy Harmsen, Director of Technology

Amy Harmsen is the Director of Technology for the Marshalltown Community School District. She responsible for the technology infrastructure for Marshalltown Community School District. Mrs. Harmsen has over a decade of experience in educational technology. She arrived at MCSD from Grinnell-Newburg School District where she served as the Director of Technology.

Mrs. Harmsen’s emphasis is on efficient management of student devices, as well as security. Mrs. Harmsen has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Iowa State University. She is passionate about providing access to content for all students through technology and working with staff to leverage technology in order to transform learning. She and her husband Todd have five children. Mrs. Harmsen enjoys attending her kids’ activities and coaching volleyball for a club team.

Randy Denham

Randy Denham, Director of Business Operations

Randy Denham is the Director of Business Operations for the Marshalltown Community School District. He is responsible for overseeing the following business functions of the District: Finances, Buildings & Grounds, Food Service, and Transportation.

Mr. Denham has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa and has been working in school finance since 2008. Mr. Denham currently serves as the Iowa Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) Regional Co-Director for Region 5. 

Mr. Denham and his wife Angela have four children. In his downtime, Mr. Denham enjoys spending time with his family, attending his kids’ activities, and spending time outdoors. 

Abby Koch

Abby Koch, Director of Communications

Abby Koch serves as the Director of Communications for the Marshalltown Community School District. In this role, she oversees internal and external communications, as well as facilitates community relations. Ms. Koch joined the district following a tenure in the private sector as a marketing coordinator.

Before venturing into marketing, Ms. Koch worked as an education beat reporter for the Globe Gazette in Mason City, Iowa. During her time as a reporter, she covered over eight school districts in North Iowa and had multiple stories picked up by the Associated Press.

Ms. Koch holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and Mass Communications from Morningside University. Throughout her college career, she earned several awards from the Iowa College Media Association (ICMA) and played a role in overseeing marketing materials as an intern for the sports information department.

Passionate about sharing the narrative of MCSD with others, Ms. Koch continually seeks innovative ways to promote district events and accomplishments.

Jacque Wyant

Jacque Wyant, Director of Human Resources

Mrs. Jacque Wyant is the Director of Human Resources, taught 15 years as a math teacher in Sioux City, becoming National Board Certified in Secondary Mathematics.  After earning a master's degree in school administration from Nova Southeastern University, Mrs. Wyant was a school administrator, including head principal, at Sioux City West High School. 

Following the conferring of an education specialist degree in district leadership (superintendent) from University of South Dakota, Mrs. Wyant moved to central Iowa to be closer to her grandchildren and lead Marshalltown High School for the past 9 years. 

 In her role as Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Wyant is looking forward to meeting every employee of the school district and to promoting a supportive system with all positions filled with employees willing to grow and "Be the Difference" for Marshalltown Community School District students.