WHITEHALL — It was a happy yet emotional scene at the Whitehall school board's monthly meeting Monday, as the board and community bid farewell to superintendent Jerry McDowell, who is officially retiring at the end of the year.
A large group of local people, many of them Viking administrators and teachers, turned out to wish McDowell well in his next job, as executive director of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association. The outgoing superintendent, who was hired in 2011 after previously being an elementary school principal in the West Ottawa district, was presented gifts from each of Whitehall's schools as well as the board. He was obliged to sit in front of the board, decked out in a Viking helmet, as board members and principals shared their memories of working with him over the years.
Treasurer Jimmy TenBrink was among those who shared glowing thoughts about McDowell, recalling that at the time he was hired, there was some local unease about the direction of the district. TenBrink shared that he was considering sending his kids - ages seven and five at the time - to another district prior to McDowell's hire, but upon meeting him could tell McDowell was "all in," one of the superintendent's favorite phrases. Each building principal, board member and administrator who followed TenBrink offered similar praise. Among the gifts McDowell received were a griddle and a plaque from the board and framed tokens ofappreciation from Whitehall students, including an array of decorated popsicle sticks in his honor from Shoreline Elementary - one from each student.
Once each administrator and board member had shared thoughts, McDowell himself stood and addressed his family - wife Sandi and kids Jack, Grace and Jones - saying "being the family of a superintendent isn't always easy," and thanking them for their support. He then thanked the community - "I'm glad you consider me a Viking," he said - and praised the district for what it can do for kids.
"Whitehall is one of those places where if you come here, you can be anything you want," McDowell said. "It's because of this place."
Prior to the toast of McDowell, there was business to attend to for the board, including an approval of a combined $39,400 expense to replace the upperand lower roofs at the district's school bus garage. TenBrink said in his motion that the expense was being approved "because (the roof) was falling in," and interim superintendent CJ Van Wieren added that the roof has been leaking and causing damage to interior ceilings.
The board also approved a $56,090 request from the Muskegon Community Foundation for the operational expenses for Hilt's Landing in Whitehall Township. Thedistrict is leasing the property from the foundation, and helping pay for its upkeep was part of the agreement. It was noted that the district hopes to utilize the property in positive ways going forward.
