Treutler named GH school board president

Sep. 28—Carl Treutler has been named president of the Grand Haven school board.

Treutler — a former coach, teacher and lawyer — says he hopes his more than 50 years of commitment to the Buccaneers, including 14 years on the school board, will serve as valuable insight toward a future that includes a new superintendent and a new school board trustee in the coming months.

Treutler was sworn in as president at the school board's Sept. 20 meeting, replacing John Siemion after he stepped down following 22 years on the board.

Christine Baker was then elected vice president, filling Treutler's previous position.

Siemion resigned Sept. 2, saying his decision was the result of the past year over which his physical, emotional and mental health steadily declined caused by fear of threats, harassment and the fact members are unpaid for their work, he explained in a statement.

"Meetings have devolved into shouting contests between deeply political constituencies over how racial issues are taught, masks in schools, and COVID-19 vaccines and testing requirements," Siemion said. "It's a no-win situation for board members no matter how they vote."

Treutler, born in Whitehall, first started teaching math and computer science at Grand Haven High School in the fall of 1965. He's chalked up more than 35 years of coaching track and field, guiding four teams to conference championships and four others to undefeated seasons. A Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, Treutler retired from teaching in 2000. He opened a law firm in 2003, and while he is now retired from that venture as well, the firm Van Tubergen, Treutler and Hayes still bears his name.

Treutler says he feels good about the direction of the board moving forward.

"We all get along very well," he said. "We're starting down the road to improve everything. We have some projects in the future taking place in the next year or two that will impact the district. As far as maintenance goes, we're planning on new roofs and we just resurfaced the soccer field."

The Board of Education has dwindled down more than a dozen applicants to fill the open seat on the school board from Siemion's resignation to four finalists: Marc Eickholt, Matt Tjapkes, Stephanie Christensen and John Brunner. The board will interview them, and choose a replacement, at today's special board meeting — 5 p.m. at the Education Service Center, 1415 S. Beechtree St.

"There's a very high number of people who are qualified," Treutler said. "Some have very high-level management qualifications and a couple are attorneys."

But Treutler says the board will remain focused on selecting the finalist who is dedicated in one key component: providing the best education possible for the district's students.

"We want them to do the best they can to keep our kids safe and provide the greatest educational opportunities possible," he said, "making sure we have an opportunity for learning that's available to all."

Treutler noted that Grand Haven has a lot of students that come from diverse situations.

"Who knows? There could be a great deal of change in the next few days," he said. "But we have to be prepared to meet those challenges."

The school board will also be searching for a new superintendent in the wake of Andy Ingall's recent retirement announcement, effective at the end of the year.

Treutler has witnessed substantial challenges during his tenure on the board and reflected on the financial crisis of nearly seven years ago. But lately, he says the divide in the community involving mask mandates inside the district's schools to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely taxing. He recalls the only climate closest to it was during his childhood witnessing the polio epidemic of the 1950s.

"I remember a girl in elementary school that ended up with the iron lung and passed away," Treutler said. "We're going to do all we can to keep our kids safe, and I'm sure some folks will disagree with how to do that. But we have to think what's best, and we know that involves in-person learning."

As president, Treutler says he aims to combat issues fairly and transparently, and hopes the public will feel comfortable sending concerns to the board in a civil, honest and ethical manner.

"We take our job very seriously," Treutler said. "It's a volunteer position and it can be demanding at times, but it's also very rewarding. Handing out diplomas, watching football and soccer games, seeing these kids perform. Whether it's music programs, all the fine arts, it's just excellent here and it's great to be a part of. We're going to keep it that way."