By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Clare High School Principal Matt Forsberg was selected as the new Clare Superintendent at a special meeting Tuesday evening following the interviews of the three final candidates for the position.
Interim Superintendent Tom House said in an email Tuesday evening, “Earlier tonight after interviewing three very capable and qualified candidates, the Board of Education selected Matt Forsberg, Clare High School principal, to be the next superintendent for Clare Public Schools.”
“Please join me in congratulating Mr. Forsberg and in supporting him as he transitions to this new role as the district’s next leader,” he added.
Matthew Forsberg has been the principal at Clare High School for the past seven years. Before that he was an industrial arts, mathematics and Project Lead the Way engineering teacher at Freeland High School. He also taught mathematics for a year at McBain High School and industrial arts for a year at Beaverton High School. Since 2007 he has been the president of MTF Builders LLC a licensed residential building company.
Most recently he filled the Superintendent’s position briefly before the Clare BOE named Former Harrison Superintendent Tom House as Interim Superintendent.
Matt said, “I am excited about the opportunity to help move Clare Schools forward. Certainly, with any change comes some nervousness, and I want to ensure a smooth transition for our high school staff and students as well. I am hopeful I can help provide the stability and unity that our school and our community are looking for.”
He said Interim Superintendent Tom House will continue in the position until after the next BOE meeting September 16. After that House and Forsberg will work together on the transition.
House said the selection committee consisted of Lauren Cole, Susan Atwood, Ed Hubel and himself.
Candidates interviewed included Forsberg; Midland Schools Continuous Improvement & State/Federal Programs Coordinator Kimberly Funnell; and Shepherd Middle School Principal and District Safety Coordinator Jason Wolf.
The only other items on Tuesday’s special meeting agenda were discussion of the Bond plans and the BOE’s approval of the bond resolution, required by the State. The Bond Counsel prepared the bond resolution for the BOE. The board approved that resolution, which starts the process of seeking buyers for the bonds.
In a letter from Michael Gresens, representing Thrun Law Firm, wrote explaining the process (in part):
“Regarding the ‘Not to Exceed $12,100,000 2024 School Building and Site Bonds,’ enclosed are the following: l. “Three copies of the bond authorizing resolution to be adopted by your board at its upcoming special meeting relative to the details of the issue and sale of the bonds. Please fill in all blanks and have the Secretary sign and certify the resolutions… After adoption, retain one copy of the resolution with the board’s minutes, and return two completed and fully executed copies to this office.”
The sale will be approved at a later date, House said.
