EVART – The search for a new high school principal is over as the Evart Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved their new choice.
Jessica Kolenda, of Big Rapids, was approved by the board for the high school principal position after a second interview and hired on July 5, in special a board meeting after previous candidate, Jonathan Good, declined the offer.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” said Kolenda. “It’ll be my third year at Evart and my 10th year as an educator.
“We do such great things in Evart, even though we’re a small school and kind of out in the middle of nowhere,” she said. “We have several things lined up in the fall to communicate with our families and community members.”
New this year, the high school will be a One-to-One technology school, with computers for students to connect to online assignments and textbooks, and the ability for students and parents to join a mobile phone application called Remind. Remind is an anonymous system for those with the app to receive text reminders about test dates, important school dates, sporting events and weather conditions.
Superintendent Shirley Howard said Kolenda has already got a running start as she’s started to update the student handbook and the Evart Wildcat Chronicle for the start of the school year.
“We’re excited about her starting as the principal,” Howard said. “She’s very passionate about Evart schools.”
Her experience made her a good choice for principal, Howard added.
More information about the mobile app Remind can be found at remind.com. Additional information about One-to-One can be found at one-to-oneinstitute.org.
