Dallas Center-Grimes CSD is announcing the retirement of two dedicated educators. Diann Williamson and Deb Cale will be stepping down from their positions at DCG at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Williamson is the principal at Heritage Elementary. Cale is the principal at Dallas Center Elementary and the DCG Preschool Director.
About Cale
Deb Cale is announcing her retirement after a 38-year career in public education. Cale is the current principal at Dallas Center Elementary and the DCG Preschool Director. She started at DCG in 2017 as the Dallas Center Elementary Principal. Cale has been the DCG Preschool Director since 2022. Her start in public education came in 1988 as a middle school special education teacher in Austin, Texas. She’s also spent time as an administrator in the Johnston Community School District and worked for Heartland AEA as a school improvement consultant.
“Dallas Center-Grimes was the perfect bookend to my career in public education,” shares Cale. “The memories made. The lessons learned. The friendships created. I walk away from this district overflowing with joy and gratitude.
Cale’s passion for establishing a relationship with students and families has been paramount to her success at Dallas Center Elementary. She’s built a partnership with all of the stakeholders in her building, from a smile on the way into school to a special connection with the PTO, Cale walks away with a lifetime of memories. Under her leadership, Dallas Center Elementary earned two exceptional ratings in the Iowa School Performance Profiles.
The DCG Preschool program is strengthened by a talented and dedicated team. Cale has cultivated a team of professionals who empower students and families to take their first steps in public education.
“Deb Cale has made her mark on all of us at Dallas Center-Grimes,” says Dr. Scott Blum, DCG CSD Superintendent. “From working with our youngest learners in preschool to creating incredible learning experiences at Dallas Center Elementary, Deb’s passion for education shines through.”
Cale earned her teacher degree from the University of Iowa with a BS in Secondary Special Education. She then attended Iowa State University, where she earned an MS in Curriculum Instructional Technology.
About Williamson
After serving students for more than three decades, Diann Williamson announced her retirement at the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year.
Williamson, the current principal at Heritage Elementary, started her educational career in 1991 as an elementary teacher in Houston, Texas. She’s been with DCG for 13 years, serving as the Heritage Elementary Principal since 2017.
“DCG will always hold a special place in my heart,” says Williamson. “There are so many incredible memories that I will take with me forever.”
Williamson is the first and only principal in Heritage Elementary’s history. She helped open the school in 2017.
“This building is overflowing with passionate educators and joyful students,” shares Williamson. “Together, we’ve created a special experience for every single person who walks through our doors each day.”
Throughout her tenure, Williamson provided steady leadership focused on student success, a strong building culture and lasting relationships with parents and guardians. Most recently, Heritage Elementary received an “exceptional” rating in the 2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles, one of only 24 schools in Iowa to receive this designation.
Williamson received my BA in K-6 Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa with minors in English/Language Arts, Mathematics and Middle School. She later obtained an endorsement in Reading and a K-12 Reading Specialist degree from Viterbo University.
“Diann Williamson deserves an incredible amount of credit for elevating Heritage Elementary to the place it is today,” shares Dr. Scott Blum, DCG CSD Superintendent. “Under Diann’s leadership, Heritage has reached incredible levels in terms of student achievement and staff development. DCG is better because Diann Williamson was here.”
Next Steps
Dallas Center-Grimes will share information in the coming weeks regarding these leadership transitions. Please join us in celebrating two incredible educators, Deb Cale and Diann Williamson! We are excited to continue the 2025-26 school year with them.