Iowa’s AEAs Select Tom Lane as New Legislative Liaison

The Iowa AEA system has selected Tom Lane as its new legislative liaison. Lane recently retired after 10 years as superintendent of the Carlisle Schools, where he also served as elementary principal. Lane was named the 2012-13 School Administrators of Iowa Superintendent of the Year. 

Lane began his education career as a social studies teacher, and he has also been a counselor, coach and secondary principal. A graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in counselor education, Lane earned his administrative certification, specialist’s degree and doctorate in education leadership from Drake University. 

“I’ve always valued the work of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and had a passion for kids with special needs,” Lane said. “I am focused on building advocates for the AEAs at the grassroots level.” He will work side-by-side with the AEAs’ current lobbyists – Matt Eide and John Peterson – and will help them better understand the issues in Iowa’s K-12 education system in order to better advocate for the AEA system. 

Education is definitely a family business. Lane’s wife, Kathy, retired after a career as a first grade teacher. Son Mark is an elementary principal in Urbandale, and son Kelly is an elementary PE teacher in Colorado Springs, Colo. Daughter Darcy is legal counsel for the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. 

“I live fifteen minutes from the Capitol, and I’ve always believed that talking and working with legislators was part of my responsibility to my colleagues,” Lane said. “As I considered other opportunities for work, I ultimately chose this work because it’s a great match for my passion and beliefs. I can’t imagine any better way to continue being involved in education.”