Cheboygan Area Schools superintendent announces retirement
CHEBOYGAN — On Monday, the Cheboygan Area Schools Board of Education formally approved Superintendent Paul Clark's retirement at the end of the upcoming school year.
Clark's retirement is effective June 30, 2023. He will have been with Cheboygan Area Schools for 27 of the 34 years he spent in education.
"Paul, I just want to say, thank you so much for bringing the district to a positive place," said board trustee Marianne Ridings. "I just feel that you've always been more than fair, you've always been willing to listen to all sides of the situation before coming to a conclusion and a decision."
Ridings added that Clark has been wonderful for Cheboygan Area Schools, not just during his time as a superintendent, but all of the previous years she worked with him when he was assistant principal and a teacher.
"Thank you for all you have done for Cheboygan," she said.
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Clark made the decision to retire at the end of the 2022-23 school year in order to give the school board ample time to find candidates and hire a new superintendent.
Clark started with Cheboygan Area Schools in 1996 as a half time athletic director and half time social studies teacher. He was in athletics for seven years, then went back to the classroom full time, teaching social studies in both the high school and middle school.
"I was assistant principal for the 2018-19 school year, and then superintendent," said Clark.
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While reflecting on his career in Cheboygan, Clark said he is most proud of navigating the school district through the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was something that nobody else had experienced and compared to other schools, I feel that we did what was right for our students and staff," said Clark.
When he leaves next June, Clark said he will miss working with the students and staff. Clark said some of his favorite memories have been the graduation ceremonies he has been able to be a part of as an administrator.
"For me, the students are the best part of education and watching them graduate is always a special event," he said.
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Before leaving his post, Clark wants to see the district close to having a written curriculum for all the different school buildings and each of the grades. He said he is also hoping to get an auxiliary gymnasium put up behind the high school.
"There is a real need for it," he said.
At the moment, Clark said he does not have any specific plans for retirement. He and his wife plan to stay in the Cheboygan area, and he is looking forward to the chance to relax and potentially do some traveling.
"I would just like to say that I feel so fortunate to have spent the bulk of my career here in Cheboygan," said Clark. "Way back in 1996, Jay Johnston, who was on the school board at the time, told my father-in-law that there was an opening. I applied and will forever be grateful to Jay, George Pike — who was the high school principal at the time— and John Palmer — who was superintendent at the time — who brought me here."
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Clark said Pike and Palmer were great mentors.
"I hope that everyone realizes what a great community we live in, and that our schools are a big part of what makes it so great," he said.
The school board voted unanimously to accept his retirement.
The board also approved several new hires on Monday:
Betsy Capozzoli was hired as a high school English teacher.
Gregory Erno was hired as a high school math teacher.
Joel Moore was hired as an elementary physical education teacher.
Connor Cummins was hired as a high school band director.
Katherine Detinger was hired as a kindergarten teacher.
Tiffany Frye was hired as a kindergarten teacher.
"We very enthusiastically welcome them to the district this year," said board president Amber Hansen.
Contact Reporter Kortny Hahn at khahn1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @khahnCDT.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan Area Schools superintendent announces retirement
