Capitol News

Filling the vacancy of a school board member who recently passed away was on the agenda at the Haslett Public School Board Jan. 23 meeting.

The board interviewed candidates for the vacant seat on the board that had been left open by the sudden passing of Robin Lewis, who had been elected in November for the seat.

Board members interviewed the top three candidates at the meeting in order to appoint a new member before the vacancy deadline.

The board interviewed Brittany Catterick, Zachary Risk and Amy Clark and ultimately chose Clark to be the newest board member.

“I am concerned about the progress of this district, and I want to see it continue to achieve. I want to see us reach our potential,” said Clark. “This district is recognized across the county and the state as being a strong academic school, and I want to support that. I want to support the teachers. Right now, there's a crisis with teacher retention and teacher recruitment, and I want to encourage people to come to Haslett.”

Clark added that she would listen to the teachers' concerns in order to meet their needs.

“Those are the people that are teaching the children,” she said. “And our children are succeeding and they're working hard. And I'm so proud of them.”

A mother of three children in the district, Clark has a child at Wilkshire, one at Murphy and one at Haslett Middle School. She has worked 25 years as a school psychologist in very diverse urban school districts.

Clark leaned on her background in psychology by telling the board that listening to all sides helps make the best decisions for everyone involved. Clark added that she is eager to help with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives in the district, along with crafting a vision statement for the board.