ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jun. 12, 2025) – Not unlike the Ottawa County Administrator search, which has been protracted and rife with sometimes contentious discussion, Zeeland Public Schools’ effort in getting a new operational leader has had its share of turbulent moments.
It all started when Dr. Brandi-Lyn Mendham took a medical leave of absence last October, into the third year of her tenure as superintendent, and Matt Stolz was tabbed to handle the duties on an interim basis. Mendham and the Zeeland Board of Education agreed in early April that she would not return to the post, and the search for a permanent superintendent began. A short time later, Stolz left the district to take a post with West Ottawa Public Schools, and one-time Hamilton school chief Dr. Scott Korpak came out of retirement to take over, again on an interim basis.
Last Thursday, the board went over 22 applications for the leadership position, assisted by a retained consultant with the Michigan Association of School Boards, and 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 this Friday for a full day of public interviews. A second and final round of interviews is slated for next Thursday, June 19th, and the district hopes to have a new leader in place by July 1st.
An online link to information on the superintendent finalists is here.
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