By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

The fourth candidate in the Star’s look at those up for consideration for superintendent of the Niles Community Schools system is one of its own.

Tina Templin is a graduate of Niles High School’s class of 1976 and is currently superintendent of DeWitt Public Schools in DeWitt, Mich., just north of the state’s capitol.

“In partnership with parents, the faculty provides a first rate education with many of our students excelling in academics, athletics, music/band and theater,” Templin states in her superintendent’s message posted on the district’s Web site. “All district schools received an ‘A’ on the State of Michigan Education YES! annual reporting indicators. DeWitt Public Schools’ students demonstrate solid proficiency on state assessments and many achieve regional, state and national awards.”

Following her graduation from NHS, Templin went on to receive degrees in elementary education and educational administration at Michigan State University.

She began her career in Colorado as an elementary school teacher before returning to Michigan. She went on to become principal at St. Johns Public High School in St. Johns and assistant superintendent for DeWitt in 1999; she became superintendent for the district in 2005.

According to her resume, Templin is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Michigan Institute for Educational Management and the Educational Research Service.

Like many school districts across the state, DeWitt is also taking a close look at its budget as state reductions in aid make an impact on their bottom line.

According to a story in the Lansing State Journal, the district recently amended its budget for the current school year. When the district drew up its initial budget, a reported seven positions (consisting of counselors and media specialists) were lost.

“We were all heartsick over the impact on our youngest students,” Templin is quoted as saying.

The district apparently used its fund equity to make up for a shortfall of $316,000.
Also according to the story, the amendment included “a $100 co-pay per month for members, a reduction in cash-in-lieu amounts,” higher insurance deductibles, “an increase in secondary lab class sizes, and an early notification of retirement incentive.”