Dr. Doug Van Zyl has worked in public education for more than 30 years. Born and raised in Minnesota, Dr. Van Zyl began his educational career as a third grade elementary teacher at Aldine Independent School District in Texas. He has since held many educational leadership roles at school districts in both Texas and Missouri. He served as an assistant principal at Conroe Independent School District and Montgomery Independent School District in Texas. He went on to work as an elementary principal at Independence School District in Missouri. From 2005-2010 he worked as the assistant superintendent and was promoted to superintendent at Harrisonville Schools in Missouri. In 2010 he was named the superintendent of Fort Dodge Community School District in Iowa where he worked for eight years. In 2018 he served as the superintendent for St. Joseph School District in Missouri. Dr. Van Zyl began his current role as Superintendent at Lakeville Area Schools on July 1, 2022.

Van Zyl has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northwestern College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University and a doctorate degree in education from the University of Missouri. 

Contact Superintendent Van Zyl

Dr. Doug Van Zyl
Superintendent
Email: Doug.VanZyl@isd194.org
Phone: 952-232-2001

Kim Elsen
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Email:  Kim.Elsen@isd194.org
Phone: 952-232-2001

Fax: 952-469-6054