Following the resignation of longtime GHAPS educator and former Board member Carl Treutler, the Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board of Education initiated its process to fill the resulting trustee vacancy. As part of that process, four finalists have been selected for interviews, which will take place during a special Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, January 27, at 6:00 p.m. at the Education Service Center.
Board Vacancy Overview
There were eighteen (18) applications submitted to fill the trustee seat vacated by the resignation of Carl Treutler, effective January 1, 2026. The term for this seat expires on December 31, 2028.
Legal Requirements for Filling the Vacancy
Under Michigan law, the Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board of Education is required to fill a board vacancy by appointment within 30 days of the resignation. If the Board does not make an appointment within that timeframe, the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District would be required to fill the vacancy.
Application Review and Selection Process
Following individual review of all application materials, the Board’s Personnel Committee met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to review applications and determine which candidates should advance to interviews before the full Board. The committee selected four (4) applicants for interviews:
• Zach Winterhalter
• Emily Nail
• Robyn Cook
• Brook Bisonet
Interview and Scoring Process
All four finalists will be interviewed using the same set of questions and a standardized scoring rubric. Following the interviews, the two candidates receiving the highest total scores will advance for further Board consideration.
Each trustee will then cast a ballot indicating a first and second choice. First-choice selections will receive two (2) points, and second-choice selections will receive one (1) point. The candidate receiving the highest total point value will be brought forward for appointment by the Board, to be decided by a roll-call vote in open session.
Term of Appointment
The appointed trustee will serve until the November 3, 2026 election has been held and certified, and a newly elected successor has accepted the office. The elected successor will serve the remainder of the term through December 31, 2028.
