Muskegon Board of Education Instates Two Members, Elects Rev. Louis Churchwell As Board President

Andrew Trzaska | January 17, 2012

After previously serving as the board’s vice president Rev. Louis Churchwell was voted in Tuesday as Board of Education president of Muskegon Public Schools.

Churchwell replaces Rev. Charles Poole, who stepped down in December.

Tuesday’s meeting also saw the installment of Tasha Bibbs-Oakes and Bill O’Brien to the board. Oakes defeated O’Brien on Election Day in November 2011.  Last week, O’Brien received the appointment to Poole’s old seat.

O’Brien was chosen among a pool of four candidates, including DeMario Phillips and Debra Brazil Griffin, who both ran unsuccessfully in November.

Right after announcing his departure two months ago, Poole immediately recommended O’Brien, citing a dozen years of experience on the board.

On the recommendation of Superintendent Jon Felske, the Board of Education will soon hold a retreat to set some of their plans for the coming year.  Committee appointments will be finalized in the coming weeks as well.