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Taft Middle names Josiah Gilchrist principal, effective July 1, 2025
Summary
Cedar Rapids Community School District selected Josiah Gilchrist as principal of Taft Middle School effective July 1, 2025; he succeeds Gary Hatfield, who is retiring after 33 years with the district.
The Cedar Rapids Community School District on its Future Ready Today podcast announced that Josiah Gilchrist has been named principal of Taft Middle School, effective July 1, 2025.
Gilchrist, a district educator for nearly 16 years, has served as Taft assistant principal since 2020. The district said the selection committee expressed confidence in his ability to continue the school's traditions while focusing on increasing student achievement. He will succeed Gary Hatfield, who is retiring after 33 years of service to the district.
District hosts noted Gilchrist's long service at Taft and the committee's support but did not provide further details about the selection process, contract length, or transition timeline. No formal board vote or additional administrative actions were described in the podcast episode.
The district did not specify any immediate program changes at Taft tied to the leadership transition. Parents and staff seeking more information were directed to district communications and the school office for timing of any public introduction events or transition details.
