Marinette school board announces next superintendent

MARINETTE – The Marinette School District Board of Education approved a variety of staffing changes during their Feb. 17 meeting.

Ahead of superintendent Corry Lambie’s retirement at the end of the school year, the board officially welcomed Matthew Smith as the new district superintendent.

Smith brings with him 31 years of experience in education, with his most recent role being the principal of Pulaski High School.

Lambie and the board shared that “throughout the selection process, [Smith’s] unwavering belief that doing what is best for students is a moral imperative [that] clearly distinguished him. Colleagues consistently describe Mr. Smith as empathetic, honest and approachable, with notable strengths in communication, collaboration and thoughtful, strategic decision-making.

In other staff updates, high school art teacher Josh Stuck will retire from the district at the end of the school year following 30 years of dedicated service.

New employees include health office educational assistant Alicia Staags and Scott Benson as the middle school head wrestling coach. A human resources administrative assistant position was approved and the contract with Edustaff for guest teacher staffing services was accepted.

In financial news, a variety of donations were accepted, including:

• High school band trip — Valenta Dental, $2,000; Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust, $1,250; Rose O’Hara, $500; Marinette Marine Booster Club, $10,000; and Marinette Kiwanis Club, $500.
• High school fishing club — Knights of Columbus, $1,000.
• Primary school — Elks Club, $200 for Scholastic books.
• Marinette School District — Marinette Lion’s Club, $500 for students in need.
  The annual purchase of Chromebooks and a camera server for the high school were passed.

In student updates, the board approved multiple upcoming trips, such as: High school jazz band to Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich.; High school student senate and middle school student council to WASC State Leadership Conference in Middleton; and yearbook student staff and Marinette Athletic Leadership Team to the Buck’s Journalism Day in Milwaukee.

The meeting closed with Lambie’s superintendent report, where he shared that Family/Community Engagement nights were a success. More than 250 guests attended the middle school event and over 750 visited the high school.

“Thank you to staff for planning and organizing, as well as organizations who volunteered and donated and also the number of families and friends from our wonderful community who attended and strengthened the bond between our schools and our community,” he shared.

The next regular school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 6 p.m.