David Johns Named Principal at Meredith Middle School

Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of David Johns, the school improvement leader at Meredith Middle School, as the school’s next principal effective July 1. He will succeed Cindy Flesch, who will become the principal at Hoover High School.

“David brings a wealth of experience and talent to this position, and is the right person at the right time to lead Meredith as they and Hoover are engaged in some great collaborations for their students,” said Superintendent Tom Ahart.

“I’m very honored and excited to have this opportunity,” added Johns. “Because Hoover and Meredith serve the same community and same students, it will be great to continue to collaborate with Cindy Flesch on behalf of our students and teachers.”

Meredith Middle School, located at 4827 Madison Avenue, educates more than 700 students in grades 6-8.

Meredith Middle School and Hoover High School, which share the same campus, are working in partnership on a joint effort to become authorized as Iowa’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for students across grades 6-10.

Johns began his education career in 2000 as a social studies teacher at Stilwell Junior High School in West Des Moines. He joined DMPS in 2005 as the district’s Humanities and International Baccalaureate Coordinator, and has been the school improvement leader at Meredith since 2010. He has also been an adjunct lecturer in education at both Drake and Grand View universities. Johns received a BA in political science from Brown University and a MA in teaching from Drake University.