The Clarke Community School Board approved 6-0 the resignations of Joseph Blazevich and Derek Van Blarcom at a special board meeting on Dec. 18; board member Ann Lovell was absent.
Both resignations will be effective June 30, 2025.
Blazevich is the current high school principal and started with the 2023-24 school year.
He came to Clarke from Des Moines Roosevelt High School, where he served as assistant principal. Prior roles included the activities director for the Des Moines School District, and previous roles at Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in Omaha, Nebraska.
In his resignation letter, Blazevich stated that he believed the changes he had implemented while as principal, including improvements to the DCAP, PLC, Master Schedule process, advanced placement opportunities and the introduction of restorative learning - were moving in the right direction for all.
Van Blarcom started with the 2023-24 school year as the activities director. Originally from the Johnston area, Van Blarcom began his career as a strength and conditioning coach at Southeast Missouri State, assistant strength and conditioning coach at Youngstown State University and athletic performance co-director for the strength and conditioning staff at Black Hills State University.
Van Blarcom spoke of multiple successful project builds, grades 7-12 alignment of activities and a success study table as highlights of his tenure at Clarke in his resignation letter. He also thanked the athletic department staff, coaches, leaders, secondary principals and transportation and facilities director for helping make the various events a success.