By David Fleet
Editor
On Monday night the Goodrich School Board of Trustees voted 7-0 following a 45 minute closed session meeting to not retain Ryan Relken as superintendent.
“The school district and the superintendent have decided to part ways,” said Greg Main, school board president following the meeting. “We have come to an agreement to make that happen. We thank Ryan for his service and wish him the very best moving forward.”
Main added following the meeting that the board is in negotiations with a retired superintendent, who will serve as interim for the short term due to the time of year and the begining of the school year.
Relken had stepped in as superintendent in January 2017 after the board voted 7-0 to promote him from Oaktree Elementary School principal to interim superintendent. The change came after the school board accepted a paid leave of absence, for Michelle Imbrunone, district superintendent. Later that year the school board voted 7-0 to extend a contract to Relken as the district’s new superintendent effective June 30, 2017.
Relken, who did not attend Monday’s meeting reponded.
“I wanted to thank you for all of the kind messages that I have received in the last few days,” said Relken following the decision.
“It may have come as a surprise when you heard earlier this week that I am leaving Goodrich Area Schools. I am not leaving under duress and I am in good spirits. It’s been one of the great honors of my life to serve the Goodrich school community and I am proud of the good work we’ve done together.”
“I have learned and grown a lot in my time here and I hope that I have served you well. I want to thank the Board of Education for giving me the opportunity to be superintendent. It is not something I ever imagined I would do. I also want to thank the talented administrators, teachers, and staff for what they do every day in service to our students. Speaking of students, I cannot say enough good things about our #Martians4Life kids. My five years growing and learning with them is an experience I will always treasure.”
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of you and your children’s lives and if I can ever be of service to you, please let me know.”
A Port Huron native, Relken, earned a master’s degree in educational leadership at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania; master of education (M.Ed.), elementary education and teaching at Northern Arizona University; and bachelor of arts (B.A.), elementary education and teaching at Arizona State University. In May 2014 the school board hired Relken as principal of Oaktree Elementary School. The open position was created by the resignation of Oaktree Principal Michael Ellis in December 2013.