HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – On Thursday night, June 3, 2021, the Holland Board of Education approved a motion to “enter into contract negotiations” with Shanie Keelan to be the next superintendent of Holland Public Schools. she is currently Waukegan Community School District’s associate superintendent of school leadership and development for the in the greater Chicago area.
She and Portage Superintendent Michael Pascoe had a final session of interviews and a town hall forum on Tuesday.
“This has been a lengthy process of soliciting and reviewing applications for this position, and we thank you all for both your patience and for your valuable input into this process,” School Board President Phil Meyer said in an email to district staffers after Thursday’s special meeting. “We recognize the change in superintendents can be a stressful time and create a sense of uncertainty for some, particularly at such an extremely busy time of the year.
“Please know that we remain fully supportive of our leadership team, our exceptional staff and our students and their families. As we celebrate Dr. (Brian) Davis’ final month with us, we can also begin to look forward to a new era of success for our students and staff, building on a strong, established foundation.”
If contract terms can be agreed upon, Keelan is expected to assume her new duties on July 1st.
Davis announced in January his intention to retire as Holland’s school chief after 13 years at the post, which was the longest active-tenured superintendent along the Lakeshore at the time. His decision came on the heels of earlier retirement announcements by Tom Martin of West Ottawa, Cal DeKuiper of Zeeland, Tom TenBrink of Jenison, Ron Veldman of Coopersville and Pete Haines of the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District. Replacing them, respectively, are Tim Bearden, Brandi-Lyn Mendham, Brandon Graham, Matt Spencer and Kyle Mayer.
