McMillan announces retirement – search for replacement begins
Setting a timeline to find a new district Superintendent was a discussion item at the Clare Board of Education meeting Monday evening.
Superintendent Greg McMillan, now in his fifth year leading the district, announced last month that he will retire on September 1, 2011.
McMillan is wrapping up more than 35 years as teacher, coach and administrator. A 1969 graduate of Corunna High School, he earned BA, Masters and Specialist degrees from Central Michigan University and taught and coached at St. Louis Public Schools, Bullock Creek, Beaverton, Bowels Elementary and Clare Schools. He was a principal at Mt. Morris, Mt. Pleasant West Intermediate and Clare Middle School, and served on the Clare Board of Education for two years.
He was Assistant Superintendent at Central Montcalm in Stanton, Superintendent at Houghton Lake and Clare. He also worked for Host Mentoring of Vancouver Washington for two years.
McMillan said his future plans are uncertain. “I’m not ready to completely retire, but I am ready for something new and I want to be able to spend more time with my family.”
Board Treasurer Sue Murawski said Monday that she will get prices for search groups to begin seeking a candidate to replace McMillan. “We should hire someone by June 1,” Board Secretary Carol Santini said. “A new superintendent could work with Greg during August (2011).”
The board consensus was to invite presentations from search groups in September and begin the search process in November.
The August board meeting, changed from the 16th to the 23rd, may be held in the new Pioneer High School building. During his report McMillan informed the board that the foundation is completed and the new modular buildings for Pioneer High School would be placed Tuesday. He reported that there had been water damage to portions of the building, “that probably happened last spring.” He continued, “The bad news is the company that weatherized the building units is now out of business.” He said as soon as the units are set, an insurance adjuster would come in to estimate the damages. He did say the building may be complete and ready for use within three to four weeks.
The Board added a special meeting next month to review applicants to fill Karen Keesecker’s position on the board.
Keesecker, who was not at Monday’s meeting, submitted a letter resigning from her board seat, citing “family obligations.” She said the letter was effective July 19.
The vacancy must be filled within 30 days and the vacancy will be advertised in the next issues of local papers with a deadline of August 6 at 4 p.m. to apply for the seat.
There is one year left of Keesecker’s four-year term on the board.
Other business at the meeting Monday included:
*Discussion and approval of High School Student Handbook changes and Athletic Code Handbook revisions.
*Approval for District Business Manager Lynn Graham to commit to a three year contract with Firstdata for credit card services and to purchase a machine for processing credit card transactions.
*Approval of an amendment to the Resolution with Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative, improving the MISEC Executive Committee and adding a diesel fuel program.
*Setting the August meeting for the 23rd at 7 p.m. possibly in the new Pioneer High School building.
*A request during Public Comment by Carl Crawford for a meeting with the board and a mediator to “resolve an issue and get my son back in school.”
*Setting a special meeting for August 11 to fill the board vacancy.
