Zeeland Public Schools names new supt.

ZEELAND, Mich. (WOOD) - Zeeland Public Schools has unanimously selected Calvin DeKuiper as its new superintendent after Dave Barry resigned in June.

The Zeeland Public Schools Board of Education voted 7-0 Thursday night during its board meeting following a final interview with DeKuiper.

DeKuiper, the current superintendent of Ludington Public Schools, officially signed into contract with the district and will likely start his new job in mid-January 2013.

"Details are pending in terms of his obligations in Ludington," Zeeland Public School Board President Tom DenHerder said in a news release. "We will work collaboratively with the Ludington Board to select a date that works well for both districts."

On Nov. 12, DeKuiper was named the top candidate of nine through a targeted search. A public interview followed on Nov. 14 and community-wide meet-and-greets continued throughout Nov. 15 and 16.

"The community feedback was overwhelmingly positive," DenHerder explained. "I am confident Cal will be a fantastic leader for our district and his family a welcome addition to the Zeeland community."

Thursday's final interview followed a site visit to Ludington on Tuesday, made up of a panel of 16 Zeeland Public School Board of Education members, administrators, teachers and parents.

Site visit participants were given an opportunity to talk to Ludington staff, Board of Education members, and the greater Ludington community to further gage DeKuiper's commitment to educational leadership and community.

"DeKuiper has been highly applauded for his strong leadership skills in Ludington. He credits district successes to the collaborative efforts of the community, district staff and students. His team approach toward school improvement initiatives proved successful in May 2012 with the passage of a $10 million bond issue by more than a two-to-one margin, despite a tumultuous economy. The Ludington bond package is designed to improve the district's technology and provide for the rollout of digital tablets to 2,000 students," according to the news release.

Prior to his eight years of experience as superintendent, DeKuiper served the Ludington district as the high school assistant principal for 12 years. His credentials also include experience in Greenville, where he served as athletic director and taught science for several years.

Interim Superintendent Gary Feenstra, who has been leading the Zeeland district since July, will remain involved with the district mentoring DeKuiper during the next several months to ensure a seamless transition for the district, and maintain a strong presence in the schools and community.

DeKuiper and his wife, Beth, have a son who will be enrolled at Zeeland High School, and two daughters -- one who coincidentally works in Zeeland and another enrolled at Grand Valley State University.

"My family and I are thrilled to become a part of the Zeeland community," DeKuiper said. "I appreciate the values and strengths found in this community and look forward to calling Zeeland home."

A public reception in January welcoming DeKuiper and his family will be announced at a later date.

Dave Barry resigned in June from his one-year post as Zeeland Public Schools superintendent after he was caught plagiarizing the text of a blog in an employee newsletter. He copied 396 words of the 437 in the blog verbatim into the newsletter, at the bottom of which his name was signed.