Nelson is currently the superintendent of South Tama Community School District, where she has been since 2008. She is also a representative for Class 3A schools this year on the School Administrators of Iowa’s Executive Leaders Steering Committee, according to the organization’s website.

Nelson replaces Jeff Hiser, who was accused of submitting fraudulent expense requests, giving inaccurate information during an investigation and misusing district property for personal gain, among other reasons offered by the school board for his ousting. Hiser initially challenged the decision, but he decided in January to allow the termination to proceed because of an ongoing medical issue. He had been “medically unable to perform” the job since Oct. 6, 2014, and a medical provider said an administrative law proceeding would aggravate his depression and anxiety.