Des Moines Register

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Former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Gary L. Wegenke has died at age 87.

Wegenke led the district from 1988 to 1998, navigating controversies over school boundaries, year-round schooling, open enrollment and teaching about LGBTQ issues.

His accomplishments included reducing the dropout rate, expanding advanced placement classes, and increasing the use of computers in classrooms.

Gary L. Wegenke, who served as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools from 1988 to 1998 and was a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year, has died at age 87.

A memorial service is to be held in Michigan, where Wegenke was dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University until retiring in 2010. He was a resi

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