Posen board votes to hire new superintendent of schools
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
The search is over in Posen as the board of education unanimously hired Michelle Wesner of Bellevue Community Schools to become its new superintendent.
Pending approval of the contract, Wesner will take over for interim superintendent John Palmer, Nov. 30, the Monday following Thanksgiving break. She will be handling the duties of superintendent and K-12 principal.
Wesner had been waiting for the right opportunity to come along and when she found the opening in Posen she applied. It was the only job she applied with this year.
“I am elated to become a part of the Posen family and community,” stated Wesner in an E-mail reply, a few hours after being hired. “Originally from a small town, I have been very selective in my superintendency search.”
Wesner believes Posen is a perfect fit.
“I enjoy being a part of a caring community where families work together with the school to ensure our children are successful individuals both academically and socially,” she stated. “I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful small town.”
Palmer, who has been with the district for two-and-a-half years, had his resignation accepted “with regret.”
Board president Ken Wozniak, along with board members Anna Soik and Brian Konieczny, traveled to Bellevue and conducted a site visit, Oct. 13. “It went very well,” said Wozniak. “We did not hear anything at all that set off any bells, so we ended our search at that point.”
Wozniak said a face-to-face meeting was planned toward the weekend in Posen. “That’s when we will meet in person …to work out all the details,” said Wozniak. “She interviewed very, very well. If she does her job as she interviewed, we expect her to do a very good job for us.”
Mary Vratanina, superintendent of the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District, provided the board with additional information about Wesner.
“I heard Michelle had gone through the ‘Courageous Journey,’ which is an administrative credentialing program,” said Vratanina, who was at Monday’s meeting for her annual visit before the board. It is the only state approved endorsement program in Michigan.
Vratanina contacted the person in charge of running the program and was told “‘(Wesner) is absolutely marvelous.’ She did an excellent job at the credentialing classes and will be a great asset to the district.”
“We want to thank everyone for all their time and effort,” said Wozniak. “We are hopeful it will turn out as well as we think it will turn out.”
Prior to the vote, Wozniak read Palmer’s resignation letter. “It’s hard for me to believe two-and-a-half years are behind us. It truly went so quickly,” stated Palmer. “I want to thank the board for put
“Thank you, John,” said board member Dennis Budnick. That was echoed by other board members.
“I just appreciate everybody,” said Palmer during the meeting. “Above all, I love my kids here. Parents and a board of education that is second to none around. It’s the best I ever had.”
Wesner is an elementary school teacher in Bellevue, a town between Lansing and Battle Creek.
CLARIFICATION: “In your article you state that I said that Courageous Journey is the only state approved endorsement program in Michigan. That is incorrect. There are several universities that are approved for administrative certificates that has been the typical avenue for certification over the years. MAISA (Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators) is approved for the Courageous Journey certification,” said Mary Vratanina COPESD Superintendent.—The Advance appreciates the clarification.