As the superintendent of Hemlock Public School District, one of the greatest privileges of my role is working alongside the incredible members of our Board of Education. Their commitment to our students and dedication to our community is truly inspiring, and together, we work to ensure that every child in our district has the opportunities they need to succeed.
Matthew Wesener, our Board President, brings leadership, vision, and a deep understanding of what it means to serve the Hemlock community. His experience and steady hand have been crucial in helping guide our district through transformative times, including the many facility upgrades and the ongoing commitment to student achievement. Matthew’s passion for making a difference is clear in every decision he makes, ensuring we continue to move forward with the best interests of our students at heart.
Katherine Ellison, our Vice President, is a dynamic leader who champions the needs of students and staff alike. With her background in education and a strong commitment to Hemlock, Katherine works tirelessly to ensure that our district is always putting the needs of students first. Her collaborative spirit and attention to detail make her an essential part of our team. Katherine is deeply involved in helping our board and district plan for the future while keeping our present strong and focused on student success.
Kimberly Hoeppner, Secretary, who has served on the board since 2019, brings a wealth of experience from her career in child care and her dedication to community service. She is deeply committed to supporting our students, parents, and staff, and her leadership extends beyond the boardroom to her active involvement in district events, including the Hemlock Celebrations Committee.
Jamie Rivette, Treasurer, and a CPA with a background in auditing school districts, lends her financial expertise to ensure that our district remains fiscally responsible while providing the best possible resources for our students. A proud parent of two Hemlock students, Jamie’s passion for the district’s success is evident in everything she does.
Lindsay Kerry, Trustee, brings a thoughtful, student-centered perspective to the Hemlock Board of Education. As a trustee, Lindsay is committed to listening, learning, and asking the right questions to ensure decisions are made with long-term impact in mind. She values collaboration and understands the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with meaningful opportunities for students. Lindsay approaches her role with care and intention, always focused on what will best serve students, families, and the future of the Hemlock community.
David Messing, Trustee, whose three children are also Hemlock Huskies, brings years of experience in marketing and a deep connection to the community’s agricultural roots. His leadership and vision have played a key role in helping our district plan for the future while staying true to our small-town values.
Kaleigh Berent, Trustee, brings energy, perspective, and a strong commitment to public education to the board. She is passionate about supporting students and staff while helping the district remain responsive to the needs of a changing educational landscape. Kaleigh values transparency, communication, and thoughtful decision-making, and she takes seriously the responsibility of serving the Hemlock community. Her willingness to engage, learn, and contribute makes her an important voice as the district continues to grow and evolve.
Working alongside this talented team of leaders has been both rewarding and deeply collaborative. Together, we remain focused on one shared purpose: delivering the best possible educational experience for each of our nearly 1,300 students.
As superintendent, I carry this role with a strong sense of responsibility and an unwavering commitment to opportunity—for every child, every day. Leading a district our size is a challenge I welcome wholeheartedly. It requires balancing needs, wants, and aspirations in a way that feels familiar to me as a father of four. That lens matters. It keeps the work personal, grounded, and centered on what students truly need to thrive.
I also understand my role in the governance structure of public education. I serve as the district’s boots on the ground—responsible for carrying out the Hemlock Board of Education’s vision and ensuring it becomes real, measurable progress for students and staff. As the Board’s sole employee—appointed, not elected—I take pride in being accountable, transparent, and steady in my leadership. I work to earn trust every day through integrity, follow-through, and a focus on what’s best for kids.
I’m proud of what our Huskie Pack has accomplished together: being recognized as the most innovative district in Michigan in 2022, celebrating our Girls Basketball State Championship in 2023, and watching our robotics team win a State Championship in 2024. The expansion of the Lockwood STEM Center (2025), the opening of the Legend Gymnasium (2025), and more that we are bringing online in 2026. I’m proud of the transformation of our facilities as we continue building learning environments that better serve students and strengthen our community. Still, what fuels me most isn’t the spotlight moments—it’s the daily work: supporting staff, connecting with students, listening to families, and solving problems with the people who make Hemlock what it is.
My educational background and professional experiences have prepared me to lead with a focus on excellence, equity, and innovation. I earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Central Michigan University, where my research focused on resource allocation to improve student learning and achievement. I also earned an Ed.S. in Educational Administration (CMU) centered on supporting struggling and at-risk students, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University with an emphasis on school safety and best practices, and an M.A. in Educational Technology and Instructional Design from Michigan State University focused on integrating technology into the classroom. My foundation began at Southeastern University, where I earned a B.A. in Secondary Education: Social Science, along with Biblical Studies.
Before district leadership, I served as a social studies teacher and coach—roles that shaped my belief that relationships and high expectations can change a student’s trajectory. Later, as a driver’s education instructor and principal, I gained firsthand experience guiding students through critical milestones and supporting staff in building learning environments where kids feel safe, challenged, and supported.
Being both a parent and superintendent has reinforced something I believe to my core: leadership is the practice of balancing what is best for individuals while staying committed to the collective good. At home, my wife and I work to support four unique children—each with different strengths, needs, dreams, and challenges. In the same way, I want every student in Hemlock to be known, valued, and given the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
That’s why I’m committed to working alongside our dedicated educators and staff to make decisions that put students first—whether we’re improving facilities, expanding academic opportunities, strengthening student supports, or building a culture where every child feels they belong.
Our philosophy of #PullTheSled is not just a slogan—it’s how we operate. We move forward together. We carry the load together. And we do the work that matters most: preparing students for life beyond school with confidence, character, and real-world readiness.
I’m proud to lead Hemlock Public School District—not only as a superintendent, but as a father with a deep respect for the trust families place in us each day. Nearly 1,300 Huskies count on us. And together—with the leadership of the Hemlock Board of Education and the strength of our Huskie Pack—we’ll keep pulling forward for every student, every family, and the future of Hemlock.
— Don Killingbeck, Superintendent, educator, and proud “father’s heart” for nearly 1,300 Huskies