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Newaygo board hires staff, recognizes retirees and renews superintendent contract after closed evaluation
Summary
Trustees approved several hiring recommendations, recognized two retirees, entered closed session for a superintendent evaluation and renewed the superintendent’s contract for one year with a pay increase tied to the NEA union raise.
At its June 16, 2025 meeting, the Newaygo Public Schools Board of Education approved multiple personnel actions, recognized retiring staff and renewed the superintendent's contract following a closed-session evaluation.
Under personnel items, the board was notified of a series of resignations and retirements. The transcript lists the following departures: Jennifer Larsen (Elementary Academic Interventionist), Latasha Hathaway (Elementary Aide), Laureen Thorne (High School Aide, retirement), Jon Nelson (Middle School Math Teacher), Jeff Bauer (8th grade boys basketball coach), Nancy Van Hall (Middle School Math Teacher, retirement), Tim Horton (Elementary Behavior Interventionist), Sherry Davis (High School Academic Interventionist) and Samantha Carrico (High School English Teacher). The board formally recognized retirees Laureen Thorne (31 years) and Nancy Van Hall (20 years) for their service.
The board then approved hiring recommendations from administration. Trustee Thomas Frisbie moved, and Trustee Reid Sherwood seconded, to hire Emily Krueger as Middle School Secretary, Joe Barrette as Middle School Boys Basketball Coach, Dara Willhite as Kindergarten Teacher and Rick Hatfield as Middle School Assistant Principal. The motion passed 7–0.
Later in the meeting, the board moved into a closed session to conduct the superintendent evaluation. The board entered closed session at 7:16 p.m. and returned to open session at 8:16 p.m. After returning, Trustee Sara Smith moved and Trustee Mary Spicer seconded to rate the superintendent as "effective" for the 2024–2025 school year and to renew the superintendent's contract for one year with a pay increase commensurate with the NEA union increase; the motion passed 7–0.
Why it matters: Personnel actions and the superintendent’s contract affect leadership continuity and school operations for the coming year. The transcript records who was hired and the board’s unanimous votes; the specific compensation amount for the contract renewal is described only as being aligned with the NEA increase and is not specified in the public minutes.
What comes next: Newly hired staff will assume their duties for the 2025–26 school year; the superintendent’s renewed contract takes effect per district procedures.
