By Sterling McGinn
In a disappointing turn of events, the Tahquamenon Area Schools (TAS) Board of Education accepted the resignations of Brian and Sarah Sikkenga, upcoming 7-12 principal and kindergarten teacher, respectively. The board accepted the resignation at their Monday, November 21 meeting.
The Sikkengas were hired at the September 2022 board meeting and hadn’t started their new positions, which would have begun January 23, 2023.
“This is a hard one for me,” said TAS Superintendent Stacy Price. “It was also a very hard decision for Brian and Sarah. They had a significant medical issue come up in their family where they need to be where they are currently, and not move up.”
Brian Sikkenga had previously been hired in 2017 as Newberry High School athletic director. He also served the district as a physical education instructor and dean of students.
He eventually left the TAS district for a coaching and teaching position out of the area.
Stacy Price has served in the role of principal after the resignation of Cliff Fossitt several years ago.
Price said she has received interest in the principal position from two individuals, but no other information was discussed that evening.
In other news, the board accepted the hiring of Jason Depew as the JV boys’ basketball coach. Depew has coached at different levels in Newberry since 1997.
Other business that evening included payment of bills, the approval of staff additional and new assignments and the presentation of the 2022 audit.
Trustees Jeff Puckett, Angela Harris, and Laura Generou were absent that evening. Four members of the public were also in attendance Monday night.
