Annual independent audits, financial oversight, strategic investments, academic improvements, and community involvement provide a documented picture of the work taking place across Hemlock schools.
HEMLOCK, MI — There is no shortage of opinions about public education, particularly during an election season. And with social media providing everyone a platform, assumptions and incomplete information can quickly become part of the public conversation.
But there is a difference between having an opinion about a school district and understanding what is actually happening inside it.
At Hemlock Public School District, the facts are available for anyone willing to look. Public budgets, annual independent audits, Board decisions, strategic planning documents, and ongoing district communications provide a record of how the district operates, invests its resources, and serves students.
"We don't expect everyone to agree with every decision we make. That's not how public education works," said Superintendent Dr. Don Killingbeck. "But there is a responsibility that comes with speaking publicly about our schools, and that responsibility begins with getting the facts right. Our record is public, our progress is visible, and our doors are open."
Financial Transparency: The Record Is Public
Hemlock Public School District adopts a public budget, conducts an independent financial audit every year, and maintains ongoing financial oversight through its Board of Education.
The district completed annual independent audits for years and years, all the recent audits have received the highest rating allowed.
In August 2024, Moody's Investors Service upgraded the district's credit rating to Aa3, an important indicator of the district's financial and credit position.
Residents can review publicly available financial information, attend Board meetings, and ask questions about district expenditures and financial decisions.
Transparency is not a new initiative at Hemlock. It is an established part of district operations.
Responsible Investments: More Than Buildings and Price Tags
Over the past several years, Hemlock Public School District has invested in educational facilities, infrastructure, safety, and opportunities for students.
Among those investments are the new 670-seat Performing Arts Center, the Patrick Wolgast Fieldhouse, improvements to athletic facilities, and expanded learning opportunities through the Lockwood STEM Center.
An important distinction in understanding these investments is how individual projects were funded.
Neither the Lockwood STEM Center nor the Patrick Wolgast Fieldhouse was funded through local bond dollars.Instead, these projects were made possible through grants, private donations, community partnerships, and other funding sources outside the district's local bond program.
The Patrick Wolgast Fieldhouse benefited from generous contributions from individuals and community supporters, while the Lockwood STEM Center reflects the district's commitment to securing outside resources and developing partnerships that expand educational opportunities.
These funding arrangements demonstrate how the district has worked to bring additional resources into Hemlock rather than relying exclusively on local bond funding for every improvement.
The district has also secured a $1,015,000 federal award supporting planned early childhood and elementary facility improvements.
Projects have involved planning, professional oversight, financial review, and Board approval, with the district pursuing outside funding opportunities wherever appropriate.
Board of Education President Matthew Wesener emphasized the importance of understanding the full picture behind district decisions.
"Serving on the Board means asking questions, reviewing financial information, weighing competing priorities, and making decisions that will affect students and taxpayers for years to come," Wesener said. "We encourage residents to examine the information, understand how decisions are made, and participate in the public process. That is an important part of responsible governance."
Leadership Accountability: Independent Guidance, Established Standards, and Measurable Results
Accountability at Hemlock Public School District extends to every level of the organization, including the superintendent.
The Board of Education conducts a formal annual superintendent evaluation using a standardized evaluation framework developed by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB).
As part of that process, the Board utilizes an independent MASB resource to help guide the final evaluation process, providing professional guidance and consistency in applying the established superintendent evaluation rubric.
The evaluation examines professional leadership practices, organizational management, progress toward district goals, and student outcomes. It provides the Board with a structured, evidence-based process for assessing performance, identifying strengths, and establishing expectations for continued improvement.
Under the evaluation framework used in the previous cycle, Superintendent Dr. Don Killingbeck received a Highly Effective rating, the highest designation under that framework. The district is transitioning to the revised evaluation framework, which uses updated performance terminology, including Effective.
The distinction is important because the rating terminology reflects the evaluation framework in place at the time, rather than a change in the superintendent's previously reported performance.
Beyond the superintendent evaluation, accountability extends throughout the organization through administrative oversight, financial controls, instructional improvement efforts, and regular reporting to the Board.
These established processes help district leadership assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and maintain clear expectations.
Academic Achievement: The Work That Matters Most
While capital improvements are highly visible, the district's central mission remains educating students.
Recent instructional initiatives include expanded mathematics support through Reveal Math and IXL, evidence-based literacy instruction through UFLI and Self-Regulated Strategy Development, and continued refinement of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
The district has also expanded Advanced Placement offerings, including AP Physics and AP Calculus for the 2026–2027 school year, while strengthening STEM education, career exploration, and partnerships with colleges, universities, and industry.
Student attendance, academic achievement, and instructional improvement remain ongoing priorities.
"Our facilities create opportunities, but our teachers, support staff, and students are what make Hemlock special," Killingbeck said. "The real measure of our work is what happens in classrooms, how we support students, and whether we continue improving educational outcomes. That is where our attention belongs."
Community Engagement: An Open Invitation to Participate
Public education benefits from questions, different perspectives, and active community participation.
Hemlock's recent strategic planning refresh included eight meetings, five focus groups, and participation from more than 100 individuals representing different perspectives throughout the school community.
The district also provides opportunities for public engagement through Board meetings, public comment, district communications, and financial reporting.
Residents are encouraged to review available information, ask specific questions, attend meetings, and participate in discussions about district priorities.
Constructive criticism and informed disagreement are important parts of that process.
The Record Is Public. The Progress Is Visible. The Work Continues.
With enrollment increasing by nearly 10 percent over the past decade, expanded educational opportunities, significant facility improvements, and continued community partnerships, Hemlock Public School District is working to build on progress made over several years.
That progress does not mean every decision has been perfect or that challenges do not exist. It reflects the combined efforts of students, employees, families, Board members, and community partners, along with a commitment to evaluating what is working and what needs improvement.
"We have accomplished a great deal together, and we still have important work ahead," Killingbeck said. "If you want to understand what's happening at Hemlock, come to a Board meeting, review our financial reports, visit our schools, and talk with the people doing the work every day. We welcome the conversation, and we believe it should begin with the facts."
Opinions will always be part of public education. So will questions and disagreements. At Hemlock, the district's documented record provides a starting point for those conversations.
Small Town. Big Opportunities. Hemlock Together.
About Hemlock Public School District
Hemlock Public School District serves students and families in Hemlock, Michigan, and surrounding communities. Guided by its commitment to Innovate, Collaborate, Educate, the district provides academic, athletic, artistic, and career-connected learning opportunities while maintaining a tradition of community partnership and responsible stewardship.