White Pigeon Junior/Senior High School gets new principal
WHITE PIGEON – White Pigeon Community Schools has hired a new principal for its junior/senior high.
During Tuesday’s board of education meeting, district officials offered a contract to Damien Loveless. The 29-year-old Olivet native has spent the past six years as a math and physical education teacher at Bronson Middle School. He has served as Bronson High School varsity boys basketball coach the past seven seasons.
Superintendent Shelly McBride said Loveless replaces Todd Reynolds, who remains with the district but in a different administrative position. She said it was clear during the interview committee’s meeting with Loveless that he was the right person for the job.
“We were very pleased with our candidate pool; we had a number of candidates and they all brought something different to the table,” she said. “We felt that Damien was a great match of all the candidates’ strengths. Everything we liked about different candidates were all wrapped up onto one with Damien. When Damien applied and we met with him, he left the interview and we knew he was definitely the one.”
Loveless, meanwhile, said he has worked closely with administrators in Bronson and feels confident he is ready for his first administrative job.
He said he attended White Pigeon Days community festival earlier this month to get a feel for the community. Loveless admits it made a big impression.
“It was awesome to see the community under the best of circumstances, and it’s very clear the community is proud of the school and proud of its kids,” he said. “I’ve already felt very welcomed and I feel a lot of support. I’m excited to be a part of the community.”
White Pigeon Jr./Sr. High has almost 400 students from sixth through 12th grades.
He has a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree from Central Michigan.
McBride said the district is now turning its attention to filling another principal’s position: Eric Kistler announced his retirement last week from Central Elementary. McBride said interviews will begin next week.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: White Pigeon Junior/Senior High School gets new principal
