Community reeling after death of former Waterloo Schools teacher in UTV crash
Waterloo Schools announced on social media that it is mourning the loss of Josh Tack, a former teacher and coach with deep ties to the district, after he was killed in a collision in Dubuque County over the weekend. The crash, involving an untracked utility vehicle (UTV) and another car, also claimed the life of a 10-year-old child and left four other people seriously injured.
Tack at the time of the crash was principal of BCLUW Jr./Sr. High School in Conrad. Waterloo Schools highlighted his history with the district: he previously taught at Hoover Middle School and West High School, and later worked at Expo Alternative Learning Center. The district noted Tack was a 2011 graduate of Hudson High School and the son of a longtime Waterloo Schools employee.
"Josh dedicated his career to supporting students and helping them find their path forward," the district wrote. "His legacy will live on through the many students, colleagues, and families whose lives he touched. We stand alongside Josh's family and loved ones, as well as the entire BCLUW school community, during this heartbreaking time."
Impact across school communities
The social-media statement from Waterloo Schools reflects the immediate shock and sorrow felt by staff and families. Tack's multi-school career — spanning middle school and high school coaching and specialised alternative learning — means his professional network extended across different parts of the district and into neighbouring communities served by BCLUW.
When a staff member who has taught in several schools dies suddenly, the effects are multi-layered: colleagues lose a daily presence, students lose a mentor, and families connected to extracurricular programs may face a lasting emotional and practical gap. The loss of a child in the same collision compounds that trauma and will likely require coordinated supports among school counsellors, administrators and community agencies.
- Victim: Josh Tack, principal of BCLUW Jr./Sr. High School (Conrad)
- Other fatality: a 10-year-old child
- Injuries: four people reported seriously hurt
- Career notes: former teacher/coach at Hoover Middle School and West High School; later taught at Expo Alternative Learning Center; 2011 Hudson High School graduate
What the district said and next steps
Waterloo Schools' message emphasised Tack's commitment to students and the lasting imprint of his work: that his career was dedicated to helping students find direction. The district expressed solidarity with Tack's family and with the BCLUW community in Conrad.
At this stage, public information released by Waterloo Schools focuses on remembrance and condolences. Local school districts typically mobilise supports — including counselling and communications to families — following events that touch multiple schools and student cohorts, though the district's statement did not specify particular measures.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Location of crash | Dubuque County |
| Vehicle types | UTV and another car |
| Fatalities | Josh Tack and a 10-year-old child |
| Injuries | Four people seriously hurt |
For families and staff who knew Tack across his roles in the district — from coaching to alternative education — the news serves as a stark reminder of how connected regional school communities are, even when their workplaces span multiple towns. The district's public statement underscores both personal loss and a collective commitment to support those affected.
Further details about the crash, including investigation outcomes and any scheduled memorials or supports, were not included in the Waterloo Schools post released Tuesday.
