A Vicksburg High School alumna is returning to head a school she attended as a student.
During a June 8 meeting, Vicksburg’s Board of Education hired Brittnae Bolz as principal of Sunset Lake Elementary. She replaces Amie McCaw, who retired after an 11-year run at the district’s largest elementary school.
Bolz introduced her husband, Philip, and daughter, Margaret, during the board meeting.
Her previous experience includes teaching kindergarten, serving as intervention specialist, and most recently as student and family-engagement specialist at Moorsbridge Elementary in Portage.
Following the meeting, Bolz said landing the job is a homecoming of sorts.
“I started school in Mendon and came to Vicksburg at the beginning of fifth grade, so I was at Sunset Lake for a year and eventually graduated from Vicksburg High School (in 2010),” Bolz said. “So, it’s a full circle moment for me.”
Bolz said she thoroughly enjoyed her job as family-engagement specialist at Moorsbridge. But the opportunity at the 485-student Sunset Lake was an opening she knew would not present itself again for a while.
“I had heard Amie was retiring, so I kept my eyes open for the job to be posted,” the 33-year-old Bolz said. “I was not actively seeking a role as a principal anywhere else … it was either Vicksburg or Portage, only because those are what feel like home to me. It felt right and I was really excited to take the step to apply for the Sunset Lake job; I certainly would not have probably gone that route anywhere else.”
Bolz conceded that saying goodbye to staff at Moorsbridge after nine years was the most difficult part of the process.
“They certainly are my family. Zac Crouch is the principal and fostered me as a leader. He gave me so many opportunities,” Bolz said. “So, I’m ready. I’m so excited to jump in and get going.”
Bolz said she has 11 years of experience in education. That, she said, will be helpful in guiding her to becoming an effective principal, and establishing a rapport with the school’s staff and students.
Relationships, she said, are critical.
“My No. 1 priority is to assess, see what systems are in place and what’s working well, and then set some goals with my team,” Bolz said. “I don’t plan on coming in and turning everything upside down. That never really goes well.”
Bolz has a bachelor’s degree in special education and general education through Western Michigan University. She received her master’s degree from University of Dayton.
Vicksburg’s first day of school is Aug. 31. Bolz said she is not the only person who will likely experience butterflies that day.
“I’m also bringing my daughter with me from Portage to Vicksburg,” she said. “She’ll be entering third grade, so she’s kind of feeling the same way I’ll probably be feeling about that first day.”
A Fisher Lake resident in St. Joseph County, Bolz enjoys water skiing, wakeboarding and boating. She also enjoys running, walking and yoga.
A 12-member team interviewed Bolz and two other finalists selected from a pool of 17 applicants, according to district officials.
Superintendent Keevin O’Neill said he hates to say goodbye to McCaw and offered some thoughts.
“Over her 11 years as principal of Sunset Lake Elementary, Amie McCaw has made an extraordinary impact on our students, staff and families. Her unwavering commitment to student success, her compassionate leadership and her ability to build a strong school community have helped create a positive and supportive learning environment where children can thrive,” O’Neill said. “Amie’s legacy will be felt for years to come and we are deeply grateful for her dedicated service to our district.”
Regarding Bolz, O’Neill added: “We felt she was the best fit to lead Sunset Lake in the future. She brings many strengths to the position including knowledge of intervention systems, positive behavior supports, student and family engagement.”
