Tobey Named JCSD Athletics/Activities Director

Josh Tobey has been selected as the new Johnston activities and athletic director following an internal review process. He will officially start in his new role on July 1, 2020.

Tobey has served as the district’s assistant activities and athletic director since 2012, where he oversaw all middle school athletic/activity events and coaches. During his time as assistant AD, Tobey played a fundamental role in the restructuring of the athletic/activities department in 2015 when seventh grade district-sponsored sports were eliminated and the Summit After School Sports program was created.

Throughout his tenure in Johnston, Tobey has worked closely with the high school athletic/activities director to ensure continuity between high school and middle school activities; establishing the online activity registration for all athletic/activity students; and continuous evaluation of the various programs’ effectiveness for provided opportunities for all students who wish to participate.

“At this point, I’ve had eight years of experience working primarily with the middle school athletic/activity programs,” said Tobey. “I’m thrilled for the opportunity to shift from a focus on the middle school to the high school and work on a district level. We have a great group of students, families, coaches, and leadership within the district who support our program.”

Prior to joining Johnston in 2012, Tobey served as an assistant activities director for Norwalk Community Schools. He has also spent time as a middle school science teacher, basketball and baseball coach, and summer school principal.

Tobey is a member of state professional associations that directly support his growth and development as an athletic/activities director. For the past nine years, he has been a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association; in 2015, he was named the Middle School Central District AD of the Year. He is also serves on the Iowa High School Athletic Association Junior High Advisory Committee.

Tobey earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Iowa State University (Ames) and his master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (Kansas City, MO). He holds endorsements in coaching, evaluator approval, and PK-12 Principal/PK-12 Special Ed Supervisor.

“We are excited to have Josh in a greater leadership position within the district,” said JCSD Superintendent Laura Kacer. “He has many years of various leadership experiences that will serve him well as the Johnston activities director. Josh has been a loyal administrator in Johnston and will work hard to ensure all students have opportunities to participate in our programs.”

Johnston’s current athletic/activities director, Joe Nelson, has accepted a superintendent position with the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows school district in north-central Iowa. Nelson was hired in Johnston in 2017. His last official day will be June 30, 2020.

The board is expected to approve Tobey’s contract at the April 20 board meeting.