Former Cheboygan superintendent takes over as interim superintendent in Posen

It?s about a 45-minute trip for new interim superintendent John Palmer to travel from his home in Cheboygan County to Posen. That?s without adverse weather conditions. On Tuesday, Palmer?s first official school day in the role of interim superintendent for the Posen Consolidated Schools, the trip was longer because of icy spots just outside of Cheboygan. The trip was well worth it. Palmer, who was in education for 36 years before retiring as the Cheboygan Area Schools superintendent in 2000, enjoys education and teaching children.

?I love being around kids, because I was from a family of about 10,? said Palmer. He has been out of education since stepping down as the Cheboygan superintendent, but is looking forward to getting involved again.

?I said why not,? he said. ?My wife is still working. She is an office manager for Cheboygan Surgical Association. I just enjoy being back. I?m looking at possibly six months, or as long as it takes — as long it doesn?t go three or four years. I have no place to go and this is what I like.?

He is the second interim superintendent director in Posen this school year. If the Board of Education has its way, he?ll be the last.

THE SCHOOL BOARD officially decided against sharing a superintendent with Rogers City Area Schools last month and will be looking at other options. The first option

will be to see if a member of the current staff is interested in a superintendent/principal position. Palmer?s primary job is to run the school system until his replacement is found. When that takes place, Palmer will have his next teaching assignment.

?I can be right here working with them to help train the person,? said Palmer. ?That?s a possibility.? Palmer will work fulltime, five days a week for the first three months and when a replacement is found, the schedule will taper off from there. He said there are a couple of individuals within the district that might be interested in the administrative roles.

Palmer started in the education field in Alma and then moved to Rapid River before getting a job in Cheboygan. He is 69 years old with an impressive sports background. He holds the state record in the low hurdles and held the long jump record for many years, he said. Palmer also was starting running back and punter on the Michigan State University football team in the 1950s when Duffy Dougherty was the coach of the Spartans.