Joanne Williams
Editor

(Joanne Williams/TCJ – Breakfast and business were on the menu at a recent meet and greet with new Potterville Superintendent Dan Gilbertson [right], seen here with Clark Construction’s Dave Warner [left], and school board member Jon McNett.)

 

Dan Gilbertson is used to challenges and change. 

Now, as superintendent of Potterville Schools, as of July 1, he is encountering more, as his new community is being asked to renew two school millages on the Aug. 4 ballot.

“There is great work being done here, exciting work,” Gilbertson said, as he held a third community meet and greet at Joe’s Café on July 22.

Gilbertson was recently interim superintendent at Olivet Community Schools, and before served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, superintendent and program director, all in Michigan schools.

He has three degrees, from Wayne State, Central Michigan and Saginaw Valley State University, and continues his studies through Walden University.

Gilbertson arrived to find a whirlwind of work being done throughout the school buildings.

These projects are being undertaken with funds from a Bond proposal, backed by 61% of the city, in 2021. It provided $28 million for the projects, which are wide-ranging and some, cost saving in the long run, including LED lighting and other energy efficient systems.

Dave Carlson, who has been director of facilities for the district for almost five years, is excited about the current and future improvements and maintenance of the schools.

Carlson has lived in the district since 2001 and has had his three children graduate as Vikings, with grandchildren now in the schools. He is also softball coach for the high school.

These voter-approved funds support the building projects, he said, as other monies, especially from the state, can only be directed toward student learning and curriculum. With 30 years in maintenance work, he knows the life-cycle of mechanical systems. Money for building improvements, replacements and updates is “crucial” Carlson said, to keep buildings secure and maintained.

The bond work will continue no matter the outcome of the two millage renewals on the ballot.

School Board President Sarah Vandenboss said she has not had a lot of questions about the renewals from voters. There is extensive information on the schools website, ppsvikings.org, and Gilbertson carries literature to help explain the proposals.

The millages have to be two separate votes because of when they were first approved and for what purposes. The millages would not increase what taxpayers pay if approved; the vote is for a renewal of the millages. With a renewal, the district  says it would be able to continue with maintenance, repairs and improve school safety, security and access, as well as add to technology, including student devices and classrooms.

From bathrooms to learning spaces, school drop-off access to playground equipment, folks returning to school on Sept. 8 will see results and works in progress in this third and final phase of the bond project.

Representatives from Clark Construction Company, at work on the current bond proposal improvements, have been documenting the work and progress on the schools website. 

Senior Project Manager Dave Warner said safety has been a priority and will be as students and staff return.

Clark personnel have visited neighboring residents with information and updates recently as well.

Gilbertson said he is impressed with the “stewardship” of Carlson and others as the work has progressed.