Robbins hired as new 6-12 principal

There is a new grades 6-12 principal in Whitehall.

The Whitehall School Board of Trustees voted May 8 to hire Melissa Robbins who is currently serving as a counselor for the district. She will take over for Hannah Nieskens who has been hired as the new Whitehall Superintendent.

A total of 12 applicants applied for the principal position and three interviewed with a committee consisting of administration, teachers, and board members.

Current Superintendent John Sullivan said Robbins will do a tremendous job for the school.

The board also voted to hire Megan Weinheimer, Katie Corrigan, Courtney Raty as new teachers at the elementary school. Principal Kurtis Koenig said they had good candidates for the openings and there were some tough decisions to make, adding that reflects well on the school.

“People want to come here and teach,” he said.

The trustees voted to hire Casey Norbeck and Shauna Verlanic for the two open counselor positions.

Kayla Simon was hired as the new varsity head volleyball coach and Koenig was hired as a middle school football coach.

At the conclusion of the regular meeting, two members were sworn into the board. Incumbent James Reiff and Bobbi Wagner both obtained their seats after the May 7 election was cancelled due to acclamation.

Sullivan thanked outgoing board member Sharon Howard for her six years on the board.

“You’ve done a great job,” he said.

Howard said she is leaving the board in good hands and feels good about that.

“I’m proud of what the district has done,” she said.