Editor’s note: A previous version of this article did not include information on an informal 4-3 straw vote taken before the official vote to select Robert Pouch as the next superintendent. This information has been added to more authentically report the board’s decision.
Thornapple Kellogg — The Board of Education has selected current Morrice Area Schools Superintendent Robert Pouch to be its next superintendent.
The Board voted unanimously at a special meeting Tuesday night to begin contract negotiations with Pouch. The vote followed an informal 4-3 show of hands in favor of Pouch, with Vice President Derrick Brock, and trustees Keara Hilton, Mark Price and Katie Stanton supporting him.
President David Smith, Secretary Brenda Hess and Treasurer Tyler Wenger supported the other finalist, Kent City Community Schools Superintendent Bill Crane. The final vote was taken after Smith motioned to select Pouch as the district’s next superintendent. The plan is for Pouch to start July 1.
Pouch has served in the top post at Morrice Area Schools, located in Shiawassee County, since 2021 and previously served in Linden Community Schools, in Linden, Michigan, as principal of Linden Elementary from 2013-2017 and Linden Middle School from 2017-2021.
During his interview, Pouch highlighted his four top goals — to develop and nurture positive relationships, establish clear communication, assess district organizational systems and provide updates to stakeholders at the end of his first 90 days.
“I want TK to be a destination, even if it takes time to get there,” he said. “We don’t want people to leave for the wrong reasons (and) we get there by building relationships, investing in our people and showing that we care about them.”
When asked why he thought he was a good fit for the district, Pouch said the role presented a great opportunity for his skill set and a “fresh set of eyes.”
“There is a much needed fresh start that needs to come to this district,” he said. “You have an amazing staff, a group of administrators that are developing their staff and that’s exciting for me.”
Board President David Smith said they were fortunate to find two “very qualified candidates who both had successes in their districts and good answers to our questions.”
“Ultimately, the decision was very difficult, but it was the decision of the majority of the board and we all support the decision,” he said.
Moving Forward
The superintendent selection followed the resignation of Interim Superintendent Tom Enslen on Monday, the same day the district held a community meet-and-greet with the two final candidates.
Enslen emailed the Board to announce he was stepping down effective immediately, citing “dysfunction” with the Board of Education. According to board meeting minutes, several divisive issues have led to concerns in the district and community.
Enslen was hired as interim superintendent following former superintendent Craig McCarthy’s retirement in December 2024. He previously worked in TK Schools for 17 years, before retiring in June 2018 after serving as superintendent for six years.
He wrote in his email, “The current state of our governance team (school board and superintendent) is dysfunctional, and I don’t feel supported enough to continue in this regard.”
Repairing cultural divides in the district became prominent topics of discussion during both final candidates’ interviews.
Board Vice President Derrick Brock asked Pouch how he planned to address “seeds of doubt and mistrust sewn into the community” and “heal these divisions to ensure future success for all kids in the district.”
Pouch said he wanted to help guide the district away from the “us versus them” mentality.
“There is a great deal of honest discussions that need to be had in this district … that’s not going to be fixed overnight because it stems from trust and relationships and you don’t build that in a short amount of time,” he said. “You build it by investing in people; you build it by investing in systems and being genuine in who you are.”
Board President Smith said the Board is collectively committed to “moving forward, not backwards,” with Pouch as the new superintendent.
“We’re all focusing on developing good relationships, resolving any perceived issues and bringing TK back to what it has always been: a great community to be in,” he said.
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