Charlie Glaes Retires as Vicksburg Superintendent

by Justin Gibson | May 12, 2018 | Community, Schools, Vicksburg

By Sue Moore

After 36 years of teaching and administering in the Vicksburg School System – and parenting his own children there – Charlie Glaes’ legacy might read as follows: “That I was able to take a great institution and work with others to make it better.”

Announcing his retirement as superintendent at the April board meeting, he told an audience of parents, students, teachers and administrators that “After a long period of soul-searching, I will retire at the end of this school year, on June 30. I look forward to the next phase of my life and the opportunities it holds.”

“I also know that I am leaving the District I love strong and poised to move forward boldly,” he continued. “A strong community such as Vicksburg creates the conditions for strong schools that thrive. Our school system has long been recognized as stable and innovative, high achieving and highly supportive; a district attractive to parents and staff.”

Glaes began his career in Vicksburg in 1982 as the suspension room proctor, a position the school board had created so students could continue learning while suspended. He had begun as a teacher aide in Three Rivers and then taught 2nd grade there for four years after graduating from Western Michigan University. Glaes was subbing and working full time on his Master’s degree in administration when Supt. Denny McMahon offered him the suspension room job.

As Vicksburg School Board trustee and then president for 34 years, Skip Knowles watched Glaes progress up the ladder of achievement within the school district. “He went from there to principal at Indian Lake elementary school for three years, Middle School principal for 15 years, assistant superintendent for three years and finally superintendent in 2004.”

“The suspension room offered me valuable experience,” Glaes said. “I worked directly with a lot of students who needed help, socially, emotionally and academically. In addition, they were often angry as they came in. I had to learn to let it roll off my shoulders. Their anger was not about me. We had to make it about helping them to solve problems if possible. It was huge preparation for going into administration, and dealing with angry parents, staff and students.”

Glaes came into the superintendent’s job just as the state of Michigan was tanking financially. “I didn’t like presiding over whittling away what we had accomplished over the last 20 years. We had built up so much [quality] and now we were cutting things. It was difficult to maintain the school’s fiscal integrity and still keep the programs in place that make a school district attractive to students. We were asking staff to make sacrifices in the elementary, middle and high school. Those were dark days,” Glaes recalled.

“We came out of it gradually and were able to maintain and even expand our amazing fine arts opportunities for which we’re known,” Glaes pointed out. That included the band, choir, art classes, film/video, drama and musical performances on display in the Celebration of the Arts presented every two years from the grade schools through high school. “Parents, grandparents and the community can see what is happening here, what kids are able to do when given these opportunities.”

The stadium project was another example Glaes cited as one that opened up a whole new era of sports participation in the schools in 2006. “The old field, built on a swamp, was a mess. The track was unusable, the bleachers were scary. We were able to utilize the first three years of the countywide enhancement millage at no further taxpayer expense.

“I remember the first day we could officially use it. The cheerleaders were practicing in the end zone, the football teams, the soccer team all practiced on the same day, then the marching band in the evening and finally members of the community out walking the new track. In the years before, we could barely let the football team on it to play on Friday nights.”

Glaes closed with his appreciation of the strong and inclusive culture in the Vicksburg School system. “Vicksburg provides the close relationships and caring of a smaller school with the depth and range of opportunities normally found in large ones. We help make all students college and career ready, so they graduate equipped to take the next step in their lives.”

The Vicksburg Community Reflects on Charlie Glaes

by Justin Gibson | May 12, 2018 | Community, Schools, Vicksburg

Avery Slancik, a graduating senior, thanks Superintendent Glaes at the School Board meeting after he announced his retirement from the school system after 36 years.

By Sue Moore

“So glad you’re doing a story on Charlie, they don’t make them any better.” – Deb Vliek, a former administrative assistant in Vicksburg schools, now with Kalamazoo Regional Service Agency (KRESA).

“I’ve always been impressed with Charlie’s thorough attention to matters in front of him.  He shares the same values as the teacher’s union in having at the forefront of our decision-making ensuring that the education of our students is of the highest quality.  He is well-educated in both academic matters and about the employees in his district.  It will be difficult to find someone else so ingrained in the Vicksburg community to lead.” – Liz Ratashak, science teacher Vicksburg High School, president of the Vicksburg Education Association.

“As the father of a Vicksburg student, I have been attending the school board meetings for over 10 years. As a district, we will miss Mr. Glaes.  The board meetings were always professional, and from what I have witnessed, Charlie has moved our school district forward. Mr Glaes has positioned us to continue to move forward after his retirement.  I wish Charlie well.” – Steve Thomas, Vicksburg resident.

“I had the privilege of working with Charlie through my involvement with the VCSF. I always found him to be an approachable, capable leader; genuine and personable with a great sense of humor. Whether serving the VCSF as a trustworthy, knowledgeable facilitator or capturing rubber ducks at the Annual Duck Derby fundraiser, he was passionate about his job and the district he served. Happy retirement Charlie!!” – Kim Klein, former president of the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation.

“Oh my goodness, I did not realize Mr. Glaes was retiring!! Of course, I would love to contribute! As a long-time student of Vicksburg Community Schools, I appreciate all of the hard work Mr. Glaes has put into improving the district. As a student who did drama, I am deeply thankful for his appreciation of the arts and his constant support and encouragement. He is always incredibly kind and it is a pleasure to know him.” – Andrew Phelps, graduate of the class of 2017 and now a student at Spring Arbor University.

“Charlie has been a very responsive, dedicated and informed superintendent for the Vicksburg Community Schools. His leadership has been strong and positive. I will miss his infectious laugh and positive outlook even in the face of adversity. He has given unselfishly to make Vicksburg schools a leader in this area. I will miss him. I wish him well in retirement.” – Carol Lohman, 34-year school board member.

“Charlie has been an inspirational leader and mentor over the last nine years that I have worked with him. I have come to admire these traits in Charlie: wisdom, integrity and grace.  I will miss him tremendously.” Gail Van Daff, Vicksburg Schools curriculum director.

“Charlie has contributed substantially to children across the Kalamazoo RESA service area by advocating for high quality shared programming in areas such as special education, education for employment (our area’s career/technical education program), education for the arts and the professional development for educators. He is a leader among leaders.  His wit, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to children will surely be missed.” – Dave Campbell, KRESA superintendent.

“We have shared many great experiences and some very tough ones as well. Words just can’t truly express the value of working with him. Charlie has kept us on the cutting edge, never forgetting what is in the best interest of kids. He has been a compassionate, firm and highly respected leader and I consider his retirement a huge loss for all of us. I have been privileged to work with him his entire time in Vicksburg and he is a true Bulldog!” – Skip Knowles, school board president.

“I always admired Charlie’s ability to put people at ease while also moving them forward.   He gave Vicksburg the full measure of his dedication and abilities and I am certain he is leaving an indelible mark.” – Pat Reeves, former Vicksburg superintendent and associate professor, WMU.