DOUGLAS, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Oct. 23, 2024) – Could Mark Neidlinger follow in the footsteps of Tim Travis? Apparently, he can.
After a public interview during a special meeting on Tuesday evening at Douglas Elementary School, the Saugatuck Board of Education decided that he is the right man to become the district’s new superintendent. He emerged as the only internal candidate for the position, as officials wanted to seek someone to promote before widening the search for a new operational leader.
The board not only considered the interview, but also went over more than a dozen references and letters of support from current and past staffers, as well as from district families, before agreeing to begin contract negotiations with Neidlinger, with a target of having him in his new role on or before January 1st. The decision also meant that the district would not start accepting any outside applications for the position.
“The Board was first interested in seeing if we could promote from within the district before widening our search for the next superintendent. In his interview tonight, Mr. Neidlinger demonstrated his incredible dedication to the craft of teaching and learning and reminded us of his deep ties to the community of Saugatuck and Douglas. He has done a tremendous job leading our middle/high school for the last seven years through challenges like the global pandemic, and the process of ideating and renovating our buildings which the voters approved in our 2020 Bond. Mark is an exceptional choice for the district’s next superintendent, and we are thrilled to see him grow in this next step of his career.” – Board President Laura Zangara.
Neidlinger has been the Principal of Saugatuck Junior/Senior High School for nearly the past seven years, succeeding Travis when he was elevated to district superintendent upon the departure of Rolfe Timmerman. Travis himself announced his retirement in July.
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