By Travis Smola
After 14 years of service on the Schoolcraft school board, Darby Fetzer announced her resignation effectively immediately on Monday.
“This is likely to be the most difficult decision of my professional life,” Fetzer said a letter to district leadership and staff. “I care deeply about this district.”
In a phone conversation Monday she cited several reasons for the decision including a desire to spend time on emotional intelligence (EG) programming workshops and to better care for her mother. “Never in my wildest imaginings could I have scripted it this way – campaigning hard with Michael Rochholz, being sworn in for my 4th term only to hear my inner “still small voice” loudly bellow that it’s time to be done,” Fetzer said.
Fetzer was not present at the Monday night board meeting, but offered to help with the transition and as a resource to the district as they need it. “I’m very excited for the future of Schoolcraft Community Schools and will look forward to watching more visions take flight,” she said.
At the board meeting, the trustees elected Secretary Jennifer Gottschalk as the new president. “I just want to say thank you for placing your trust in me to do this job only two years in,” Gottschalk said at the close of the meeting. “I feel very fortunate this group chose me to be the President this year. And I hope I can live up to the job.”
The board elected Jason Walther as the new Vice President, Ryan Ledlow as the new Secretary and Kathy Mastenbrook to remain in her role as Treasurer.
The Fetzer resignation now opens up a vacancy in the board which will be appointed by the board. The district is asking anyone interested in the position to submit a letter of interest and qualifications to the district office in the high school no later than Jan. 25 at 4 p.m.
Anyone with questions about the position is asked to contact Superintendent Dr. Rusty Stitt at 269-488-7390 or stittr@schoolcraftcs.org or President Jennifer Gottschalk at 269-207-2335 or jenniferjgottschalk@gmail.com The school board then plans to review all applicants and do interviews on Feb. 11 before their regular board meeting.