Iowa Board Suspends Former Superintendent Paul Gausman

The state board issued a public reprimand and 180-day suspension to the former superintendent following ethics complaints.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Administration

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a school building facade, representing institutional oversight in professional ethics. — The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners suspended former superintendent Paul Gausman for 180 days following ethics violations during his tenure in Sioux City. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners has issued a public reprimand and a 180-day license suspension to former school superintendent Paul Gausman following ethics complaints. These disciplinary actions stem from allegations of bribery and unauthorized information disclosure during his time leading the Sioux City Community School District.

Why it matters

This disciplinary action highlights the strict professional standards for Iowa school administrators and underscores the potential long-term consequences of ethics violations on professional licensure. The decision follows a settlement regarding complaints filed by the Sioux City school board.

Paul Gausman, who led the Sioux City Community School District from 2008 to 2023, received a public reprimand and a 180-day license suspension. Although his administrator license expired in November 2024, the state board finalized the settlement order on October 16, 2026.

The players

Paul Gausman

A former school superintendent for districts in Sioux City and Lincoln who now owns a private music education business.

Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

The state regulatory agency responsible for overseeing and disciplining licensed educators in Iowa.

Sioux City Community School District

The local school district that filed ethics complaints against its former superintendent.

The details

The board issued the reprimand and suspension after Gausman signed an order acknowledging his conduct violated professional ethics. The Sioux City school board had previously alleged that Gausman attempted to bribe two board members in 2021 and leaked confidential complaints about another member. While Gausman later served as superintendent for Lincoln Public Schools until 2024, he currently operates a private Bach to Rock music education business.

2008-2023: Gausman served as superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District.
2021: Gausman allegedly attempted to bribe school board members.
2024: Gausman stepped down as Lincoln Public Schools superintendent.
November 2024: Gausman's administrator license expired.
October 16, 2026: The Board signed the order of reprimand.

The Home Front

This disciplinary action follows the state-mandated professional ethics standards set by the Iowa Code of Professional Conduct for Educators. It serves as a reminder of the oversight mechanisms that apply to public school leadership and the permanence of professional records.

Parents and local community members should verify the licensure status of school administrators through the state board's public search tool if they have concerns about leadership oversight. Keep this outcome in mind as a reference for how complaints regarding board or administrative conduct are formally resolved at the state level.

The takeaway

Ethics violations can result in formal state-level professional sanctions even after an administrator has left a district or retired their license. Residents should keep the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners' portal on file for verifying the professional standing of local school leaders.