Gerla announces plan to leave Ash Grove R-4 at end of school year

After eight years leading district, superintendent leaving for Mountain Grove school system
After eight years as the superintendent of the Ash Grove R-IV School District, Dr. Aaron Gerla will be leaving to take on a new role in education. On Thursday, Nov. 2, he announced that he would be stepping down to take on the job of Superintendent of Schools in the Mountain Grove School District. Gerla’s salary at Ash Grove for the 2023-24 School Year is $135,505. While his salary at Mountain Grove will not be figured until May of 2024; Jim Dickey, the current superintendent at Mountain Grove has an annual salary of $130,797, but Dickey doesn’t have a doctoral degree.
In his announcement posted online, Gerla thanked the school staff and expressed his love for Ash Grove.
“I have had an amazing eight years with the Ash Grove School District,” he said. “I would like to thank all my fellow admin, teachers and staff for all that we were able to accomplish together. I will always have a lot of love for the people of Ash Grove and look forward to finishing the 2023-24 school year as another success.”
Gerla’s career in education spans 25 years to date. He was a teacher and coach at Lebanon for one year, before going to Logan-Rogersville, where he spent 13 years as a teacher, coach and assistant principal. Next, he went to Sparta, where he was the high school principal and athletic director for three years, before finally coming to Ash Grove for the superintendent position. He got his Associate’s of Arts degree from Walla Walla Community College, his bachelor’s degree from Evangel University, his master’s from William Woods University, and his Educational Specialist and Educational Doctorate degree from Saint Louis University.
 
Gerla followed father’s path
Gerla said he was inspired to become an educator because of his father’s example.
“My dad was a school superintendent,” he said, “so I saw firsthand the impact an educator can have on a student’s life.”
During his career, Gerla said, his educational philosophy has been to make sure that every student has every opportunity possible to succeed in life.
“Our job is to give every student a chance for success,” he said. “When students leave our school district after graduation, we want them to be successful in college, future careers and life in general.”
 
Gerla proud of time at Ash Grove
Gerla said he is proud of some of the strides made in the Ash Grove District on behalf of students during his tenure.
“We added a Care to Learn chapter, helping to provide health, hunger and hygiene help for all of our students,” he said. “We expanded early childhood services every year that I was here, (and) we were above the state average in every EOC/MAP testing category for the first time in school history.”
Gerla said he particularly admires the people of Ash Grove for how they support the kids in the district.
“Ash Grove has great people with a love for their students and schools,” he said. “I have had the chance to work with some amazing educators and created some lifelong friendships.”
Before he leaves, Gerla said, he wants to see the district continue the work it has been doing.
“We have been able to accomplish great things in the last eight years,” he said. “We want to continue to build on those accomplishments for the rest of the 2023-24 school year.”
For those who are considering going to education, Gerla said it’s a great field to work in, but those who go into it should have a true desire to work with children.
“The education field needs good people who have a passion for training up the next generation of students,” he said. “It is a rewarding career unlike anything else.”
 
Appreciates community, wishes best
Gerla said he appreciates the support Ash Grove has given him and the district, and he hopes the district continues to do well when he is gone.
“I want to thank everyone for helping myself and my colleagues throughout the years building up our students to achieve great things,” he said. “My family and I will always cherish our time in Ash Grove and wish you nothing but the best.”