ADRIAN — With retirement approaching, the Adrian Public Schools Board of Education is considering a candidate to become the next administrator at Prairie Elementary School.
Callie Yatzek, an Adrian teacher with 14 years of experience, will go before the board for approval at its next meeting to become Prairie Elementary’s new dean of students.
An interview committee recommended Yatzek for the administrator position.
The school board will consider its approval at its meeting scheduled for May 20 at 6 p.m. at Adrian High School. The May 13 board meeting was canceled “due to the spacing of board meetings due to the holiday (Memorial Day),” the district said.
If approved by the board, Yatzek will begin her role as administrator for the 2024-25 year, succeeding Principal Carl Lewandowski, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Lewandowski’s retirement notice was approved by the school board at its Dec. 11 meeting.
Prairie Elementary, which has about 260 students in grades 5 through 5, is one of the main reasons Yatzek’s proposed title will be “dean of students” and not “principal,” Superintendent Nate Parker said.
“Essentially, a dean of students will always be your building manager,” Parker said. “Ultimately, the (job title) is because of the number of students and staff in the building. She will still run the building and do everything a building principal would normally do.”
Alexander Elementary School, by comparison, averages at least 370 students, Parker said, while Prairie has a much smaller enrollment and fewer staff. Lincoln Elementary School serves 350 students in grades Young 5 through fifth grade, and Michener Elementary School averages 275 to 300 students, according to adrianmaples.org.
Yatzek is currently a third grade teacher at Prairie and has been with the district for 14 years. She has served on several leadership teams and committees such as the Positive Behavior and Intervention and Support Building Leadership Team, School Improvement Committees, and District Program Committees.
She resides in Lenawee County with her husband, Dan, and their three children who attend Adrian Public Schools.
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During the interview process, Yatzek “articulated a clear and compelling vision for the future of Prairie Elementary,” Parker said in a news release.
“His strategic leadership approach and dedication to fostering a thriving school environment stood out,” he said.
School trustee Anna Solis-Gautz, who served on the interview committee, described Yatzek as an enthusiastic and seasoned educator “who will integrate smoothly as Prairie’s new administrator and demonstrate strong leadership.”
— Contact journalist Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Callie Yatzek recommended for administrator role at Prairie Elementary
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