By Sterling McGinn
The Tahquamenon Area Schools (TAS) Board of Education voted to hire a new K-6th grade principal at the board’s January monthly meeting held on Monday, January 26. The meeting was delayed one week due to weather conditions last Monday.
Newberry High School biology and physical science teacher Hollis Yenna was hired to become the elementary principal.
Yenna is filling the position after the retirement of principal Kendra Feldhusen, who retired last fall.
Yenna came to the district in the fall of 2024. He notably taught his students the science of maple syrup, and his class tapped dozens of maple trees on the school grounds and in Washington Park for maple syrup.
The science teaching position has been advertised. In the meantime, the district has placed a long-term substitute in the science rooms.
Two other hires were approved that night. The board voted to allow superintendent Shawn Tebo to hire a full-time bus driver. Tebo said that the individual did not want their name released at this time. Tebo said the individual already has the training. The district has struggled for some time with not having enough substitute bus drivers. There are many times where routes have had to be cancelled. This hire will allow a driver to fill routes when the other drivers are not available or when they are off for extended periods. The board members also expressed an interest in seeing the routes reworked in the future, possibly allowing for later pick-up times in the morning.
The board also approved the hiring of Anthony Kitzman as the middle school boys’ basketball coach.
In other news, the Tahquamenon Trails committee gave a report on their progress in preparing a Safe Routes to School grant, which would allow for funds to improve sidewalks in the Village of Newberry. Up to $900,000 in funds could be awarded. Newberry is classified as having three schools: the elementary, middle, and high school. The grant can fund up to $300,000 per school.
“Safe Routes to School is an MDOT grant that helps repair sidewalks, helps with signage and cross walks,” said committee member Allie Johnson. “Ultimately it is to benefit students and get them to and from school.”
The committee put together a group of individuals, including students, and were given a map of where students live. “That helped us decide a route to do a walk audit with. We identified areas where sidewalks could be improved,” Johnson said.
The group noted that some intersections behind the school used during pick up and drop off times could use signs and crosswalks.
The grant application will be submitted in June of this year, with award announcement expected this fall. If awarded, sidewalks on 18 blocks in the village would be replaced, ADA ramps installed, and high-visibility crosswalks painted.
Newberry did receive this grant approximately 13 years ago, leading to a number of improved sidewalks within the village.
During her superintendent report, Shawn Tebo noted that she is holding a meeting the first part of February with community stakeholders regarding ideas for the nearly 100-year-old former high school building, which is now closed. Tebo also said that head custodian Brad Huffman has been checking the roof of the old building. The area that he sealed is holding up, but a new leak has been found towards the front of the building.
Finally, the board voted to enter closed session for legal discussion. There was no board action after returning to open session.
