CONTRIBUTED PHOTO - Both standing in the high school office, Scott Bolen (left) and Ben Adams (right) welcome in the fresh school year with big smiles and consistent service to the South Tama Community School District.

South Tama’s high school opened the year with a familiar pairing at the helm: Principal Ben Adams and Assistant Principal Scott Bolen — the “dynamic duo,” as more than a few staff members have called them — transitioning together after years building a culture of excellence and systems that work at the middle school.

Both describe the move as equal parts bittersweet and energizing. Having to leave colleagues and students they love, while stepping into a building where many of those same students now land for their final four years of schooling.

“Leaving the middle school wasn’t about being unhappy,” Adams said. “It’s very bittersweet. I had great relationships there, and I felt our culture improved over the years. But this is a good opportunity to serve in a new way — and Scott and I are invested here for the long haul.”

Adams’ ties to the high school stretch back a decade, when he served as assistant principal and activities director for a year before moving to the middle school principalship. In that high school year, he met Bolen, then a health teacher and coach.

“What I remembered about Scott was a strong teacher with great relationships and accountability,” Adams said. “Even then, he had the potential to be a strong administrator.”

Bolen, who grew up in the community and taught at the high school before moving into administration, says the partnership clicked early once they were paired at the middle school.

“I looked to Ben as a mentor from the start,” Bolen said. “We complement each other well — work smarter, not harder. There are families and students each of us connects with naturally, and we lean into that. At the end of the day, we stay focused on what’s best for staff, students, and the community.”

The idea to consider an internal move surfaced in the winter after Robert Boley and Amy Karg resigned from their administrative roles at the high school. Adams said it was presented as a question — “Is there interest?”– not a directive.

“It took time,” he said. “When you like where you are, it’s hard to leave. But if Scott and I could go as a team, we would consider it. Over a few weeks, it became clear it was the right challenge at the right time.”

Bolen echoed Adams’s statements.

“I’m invested here; I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I’ll be honest — I was on the fence until Ben committed. Once he did, I was 100 percent in. You want to know you’re stepping into something with a partner who sees the work the same way.”

Both administrators began easing into high school work well before July 1 — sitting in on leadership meetings and participating in hiring — while also beginning an exciting transition at the middle school. Both Jennifer Nelson and Joe Otten were hired to fill the middle school administration jobs left vacant by Adams and Bolen.

“We wanted the new team there to start clean,” Bolen said. “That meant getting most of the staffing wrapped so they could focus on people and the first weeks of school.”

Bolen calls his middle-school years a crash course in leading adults and systems — figuring out how to “serve in that capacity to better the adult experience and the student experience.”

“Every year I wanted to be better than the last,” he said. “I evolved as a leader, and I’m grateful for the patience of staff as I grew.”

Adams points to mentors, family, and his military service (six years, including a 2003 tour) as anchors for his leadership style.

“Selfless service, persistence, humility,” he said. “The district is bigger than any one person. My wife has been the voice of reason; my mother supported me early on; and a mentor principal shaped a lot of how I lead.”

When Adams arrived at the high school, his first agenda item was set: listen.

“Good leaders listen more than they talk,” he said. “Meet people, hear from them, learn the system, strengths, and needs. We have strong professionals here, and that’s even clearer now that I’m in the building.”

Adams highlights the return of hands-on learning opportunities: industrial technology and family and consumer science classes that have been limited in recent years.

“The overall student experience is what moves a school,” Adams said. “Not just one metric. For one student, that confidence might come in math; for another, in the shop or the kitchen. Bringing those options back mattered to me.”

The high school is also launching a daily support period branded by the student council as “Level Up.” Using an RTI scheduling tool, teachers will schedule students for targeted help, enrichment, or make-ups without losing regular instructional time.

“It’s about access,” Adams said. “Teachers need windows to reach kids for specific needs. This gives us that time with accountability attached.”

Culture touches show up, too. One of the first visible changes outside the building: removing reserved administrator parking to open more spots for families and the public. In its place, the school will designate a Staff Member of the Month spot and a student of the month spot coming down the pipelines.

“I’ve never been a fan of a principal parking spot,” Adams said. “It’s a small thing, but it sends a message about who the front row is for.”

Both men stress that they’re here — really here. Bolen’s kids are in the district; he’s coaching youth sports and active in local ministry. Adams has spent years building ties in the community.

“We’re not transitional leaders passing through,” Adams said. “Consistency matters.”

Weeks into their new roles, both administrators say the welcome has been warm.

“I had a lot of fun at (the) open house,” Bolen said with a grin. “I love middle schoolers, but high school kids are a different maturity level that fits my personality — keeping it light, getting them to smile. I’m excited.”

“It hit me about a week ago,” Adams said. “I’m really pumped to be here. We have a strong team and real opportunities in front of us.”

Before wrapping, each offered thanks. Bolen credited community support and his family’s patience through long days. Adams thanked mentors, his wife and mother, and Bolen himself.

“Scott could run a building, too,” Adams said. “This partnership has been special. I enjoy coming to work with such a strong teammate.”

Bolen, circled back to the students who will benefit most if the high school thrives.

“This is the last stop before our kids step into the world,” he said. “If we get the experience right here, some of them will come back, build businesses, and raise families in this community. That’s the goal.”