South Sioux City Schools superintendent Dr. Rony Ortega announced the addition of two new support staff who will join the school district with the start of the 2025-26 school year this July.
Pending Board of Education approval on Monday, May 12, Jessica Delaney and Tom McGuire will take over new duties at the school as Coordinator of Special Education and Coordinator of Student Services, respective.
Ortega said the current Director of Student Services role will be restructured into two distinct positions for the 2025-26 school year, allowing for more focused leadership and enhanced support in both areas.
Delaney brings a wealth of experience as both a teacher and leader in the field of special education, having served the SSC district over the past 11 years in various roles, including special educator, general educator, and MTSS Coordinator. Each of these experiences has deepened her commitment to our students and strengthened her appreciation for the incredible teams she’s worked alongside.
Delaney said is excited about the opportunity to continue her professional journey with our district, relocate to South Sioux City prior to the start of the new school year, and begin building new partnerships. She is eager to support the school’s staff, students, and families through a shared vision of inclusive, student-centered learning.
McGuire is a familiar face to the district, having previously served as principal at South Sioux City Middle School for 12 of his 25 years as a building principal. With over 33 years of experience in education, Tom brings deep expertise in instructional leadership and student support.
Most recently, he has served as an educational consultant with Northwest AEA, where he supported first- and second-year teachers and led professional development on student engagement strategies. McGuire and his family reside in South Sioux City and his wife, Lori, is a teacher in the district. Passionate about fostering student success, Tom is eager to apply his extensive experience to enhance student services across the district.
Both Delaney and McGuire will work closely with the school’s Assistant Superintendent for School Improvement and Leadership Development, Drew Wagner, with the shared goal of partnering with teachers and principals to strengthen systems and services that support students and staff throughout the district.
