Waukee CSD Announces Three New Secondary Leaders

We are welcoming additional leaders to our District for the 2024-25 school year. Alex Lancaster, associate principal, and Mark Weber, assistant principal, will serve under Waukee High School Principal Judi Roland. Mekisha Barnes will join the team at Timberline School as an assistant principal, working with Principal Frank Lee and Assistant Principal Kevin Schulte. 

Alex Lancaster, WHS Associate Principal

Lancaster comes to Waukee CSD from serving as the principal at Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School. She has also been an educator with Southeast Polk and Johnston. Lancaster is a 2008 graduate of WHS. 

“As I walked up the path to the high school heading into my interview, so many memories came flooding back,” Lancaster says. “I had some of the best teachers growing up here, and Waukee has continued to expand on that.”

Lancaster and her husband, Joe, have three boys — twins Clay and CJ, who will start second grade in the fall, and Cameron, who is 3. She says she’s looking forward to bringing her family back to Waukee. 

“I am excited to join an amazing team and continue the exceptional work WHS is already doing,” Lancaster says. “WHS is filled with extraordinary staff and students, which drew me to this position.”

A fun fact about Lancaster — one of her favorite hobbies is SCUBA diving, which she admits is a tricky hobby in Iowa. 

Mark Weber, WHS Assistant Principal

Mark Weber currently works as the math interventionist at WHS and is an assistant wrestling coach for the District. He is excited about the promotion to assistant principal.

“I look forward to building on the relationships I already have with our staff and students to help each person thrive at Waukee High School,” Weber says. “I am eager to see more of the great things that happen daily in the classrooms and extra/co-curricular activities, and provide support to help the adults who lead them continue to improve their craft.”

Weber says he looks forward to working with Roland and Lancaster in a leadership role.

“This was the perfect opportunity to step into my first leadership role and make a larger impact on the school community. I love the diversity and opportunities for students and staff here in the District,” Weber says.

While not at work or wrestling, Weber spends most of his time with his young son, Theo, who is about 18 months old. He and his wife, Tori, are Green Bay Packers fans. Webster says he enjoys spending any free time he can find with positive people or learning new things. 

Mekisha Barnes, Timberline School Assistant Principal

The District and Timberline School will welcome Mekisha Barnes as an assistant principal. Barnes is currently the principal of Weeks Middle School for Des Moines Public Schools. 

“I look forward to joining the dynamic Timberline team, poised to advance the desired cultural values to lead continuous improvement efforts for student achievement,” Barnes says.

Barnes says she finds joy in helping students and families plan and work toward future goals and dreams. She has personal experience with teenagers, too. She describes her own two teenagers as sharp, caring, and athletic. 

In her free time, Barnes enjoys baking, exercising, reading, and watching movies.

“Local arts and cultural events, spending time with family and friends, and finding fresh ingredients at farmer’s markets for new recipes typically keep me busy when I am not at school,” Barnes says.