Grass Lake school board names new superintendent

JACKSON COUNTY, MI – After two weeks of interviews and hours of deliberation, the search for the next superintendent of Grass Lake Community Schools is over.

The school board has chosen Nick Angel, who currently serves as principal of Chelsea High School, as its next leader, effective July 1. He accepted the position by phone during the board meeting Friday, June 14.

“I am so honored and humbled, and I’m really looking forward to getting to work,” Angel said. “What an incredible process, and what a great way to go into Father’s Day weekend.”

Angel was among two finalists vying to replace retiring Superintendent Ryle Kiser, who announced in April plans to retire June 30, after more than eight years at the helm.

Related: ‘My heart was in Michigan Center’: Superintendent pulls out of Grass Lake interviews

Amy Humbarger, school board president for Grass Lake Community SchooIs, said she was “looking for assertiveness.” She said she was supportive of Angel because she needed a leader who could help the board move the district forward.

“When I saw how polished Nick was, I was actually envisioning him sitting here for a board meeting with us,” she said. I really felt that connection.”

Angel’s passion for students and strong track record of administrative success were considered his strongest attributes by school board members.

Angel will earn a base salary of $148,000 and receive a tax-deferred annuity of 2% of his base salary, $2,960, annually, according to the district.

Angel and the other finalist, Terry Sedlar, the Olivet Community Schools director of human resources/operations, were interviewed by the school board for a second time Friday. Each presented a plan for how they would tackle the job in the first 90 days.

During the post-interview discussion, Angel was the top pick for Humbarger, vice president Kyle McClure, treasurer Janey Bisard and trustee Shari Hein. The other board members were initially on the fence about who to name, but were ultimately convinced to support Angel for a unanimous vote to end the nearly four-hour meeting.

“They’re both excellent candidates. I do not think we can make a wrong decision,” school board member Chris Maynard said. “It is a better/best thing. Either candidate that we go for is going to do great things for Grass Lake.”

School board member Jonathan Claussen said many people he spoke with about Angel, including former students, parents and co-workers, made remarks about his authentic personality and work ethic.

In his 90-day plan, Angel said he would be the “chief cheerleader” for the district and empower students to discover their potential and grow with essential academic and life skills.

“Visibility is at the forefront of who I am as a leader,” said Angel, who said maintaining a presence among the community and student body is a top priority. “Nobody’s ever going to ask who’s the superintendent of Grass Lake Schools. Nobody’s going to ever say ‘Who’s that guy?’ or ‘Hey, he doesn’t come to events.’”

Angel was principal of the district’s Beach Middle School from 2011-2021, before becoming the principal of Chelsea High School. He had been assistant principal at the high school between 2008-2011. Angel also taught high school English in Blissfield Community Schools from 2003-08.

According to the district, Angel earned bachelors degrees in English and political science from Western Michigan University, and a masters in educational leadership from Madonna University as well as a doctorate in leadership innovation.

The district received 22 applications for the superintendent’s job. Six candidates were interviewed earlier this month and the field narrowed to three. Michigan Center School District superintendent Brady Cook was the third finalist but withdrew because he said he felt he still belonged in his current district.

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