ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jun. 7, 2025) – There will be six Superintendent hopefuls for the public to meet, and the Zeeland Board of Education to decide upon next week.
On Thursday, the panel went over 22 applications for the leadership position, assisted by a retained consultant with the Michigan Association of School Boards. They decided to have Olivet Superintendent John Mertz, Ravenna Superintendent Greg Helmer, Hamilton Superintendent Dr. Brad Lusk, current Zeeland Assistant Superintendent Jon Voss, Swartz Creek Superintendent Rod Hetherton, and Dr. Pete Wilson, a school superintendent in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, come to the Zeeland Administration Building (183 Roosevelt Av.) next Friday, June 13th, for public interviews.
According to a district statement issued on Friday, the board is slated to hold a second round of interviews the following Thursday, June 19th, and hope to have a new operational leader in place by July 1st. One-time Hamilton school chief Dr. Scott Korpak, who had been retired for the last couple of years following a stint at Northview Public Schools, came aboard in April on an interim basis when Matt Stolz left for a position with West Ottawa Public Schools. Stolz himself was a temporary leader when Dr. Brandi-Lyn Mendham went on a medical leave last October; she and the board agreed to not have her return in early April, which started the search for a permanent replacement.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, the board approved a new two-year contract with the Zeeland Education Association, including raises for all staff of a step and a five percent hike for Academic 2026, and a step and a four-percent increase for Academic 2027. More affordable medical plans, along with contract language clarification that “supports both teachers and students,” and increased staff opportunities, were included in the pact. In addition, Rick Dernberger was named the new Board President, taking over for April DeWitt.
More information on the superintendent finalists is here.
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