Des Moines Public Schools Names New Central Campus Director

New Central Campus Director Aiddy Phomvisay.

DES MOINES (December 16, 2015) – Aiddy Phomvisay, currently the assistant director of Central Campus, will become the next director of the school, one of the nation’s top career education programs. He will replace Gary McClanahan, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Phomvisay took over as assistant director of Central Campus earlier this year. Before that, he was principal of Marshalltown High School, associate principal of Valley High School in West Des Moines and began his career in education as a social studies teacher. In 2014, he was named Secondary Principal of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa.

Phomvisay earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in Education Administration from Iowa State University. He also holds a superintendent licensure.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead Iowa’s premier regional academy, with a team of great educators offering exciting educational opportunities to so many students,” Phomvisay said. “I look forward to working with our many business, industry and community partners along with our comprehensive high schools to develop more unique career-based learning programs and to employ the most technologically advanced tools in education.”

“Aiddy Phomvisay is emerging as one of Central Campus’ great champions,” Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ahart said. “I have no doubt he will further nurture the culture of caring, high student engagement, and increase cutting-edge programming to effectively prepare our students for the rapidly changing opportunities in our region.”

Central Campus, located at 1800 Grand Avenue, is home to Iowa’s premier career and college credit programs, and is one of the top schools of its kind in the nation. The school, attended by students from all DMPS high schools along with dozens of other school districts, offers high-skill learning in graphic design, culinary arts, fashion design, aviation technology, and much more, including the largest marine biology program of any non-coastal high school. In total, the school offers three dozen career and college credit areas of study.