Lansing Sun

The Haslett Public School Board filled its vacancy after the recent death of a school board member at its Jan. 23 meeting with the selection of Amy Clark.

The board interviewed candidates for the vacant seat that had been left open by the sudden passing of Robin Lewis, who had been elected in November.

Board members interviewed the top three candidates at the meeting in order to appoint a new member before the 30-day vacancy deadline.

The board interviewed Brittany Catterick, Zachary Risk and Clark and ultimately chose Clark to be the newest board member.

“I am concerned about the progress of this district, and I want to see it continue to achieve. I want to see us reach our potential,” Clark said. “This district is recognized across the county and the state as being a strong academic school, and I want to support that. 

"I want to support the teachers," she added. "Right now, there's a crisis with teacher retention and teacher recruitment, and I want to encourage people to come to Haslett.”

Clark added that she would listen to the teachers' concerns in order to meet their needs.

“Those are the people that are teaching the children,” she said. “And our children are succeeding, and they're working hard. I'm so proud of them.”

A mother of three children in the district, Clark has a child at Wilkshire Early Childhood Center, one at Murphy Elementary School and one at Haslett Middle School. She has worked 25 years as a school psychologist in diverse urban school districts.

Clark leaned on her background in psychology, telling the board that listening to all sides helps make the best decisions. Clark added that she is eager to help with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the district, along with crafting a vision statement for the board.