APS Board

Allegan Public Schools
Board of Education

Back row: Phil Siegler, Mark Davidhizar, Steve VanderVeen, Steve Tibbitts, Dale Wittkop. Front row: Chris Ward, Leslie Samuelson

Board of Education District Goals

Last Meeting Recap

Meeting Dates

Rev. Chris M. Ward - President

Personal Information:

Chris Ward is the former director of the non-profit ministry, ARC, and he is currently a registered nurse in the Clinical and Operations Improvement Department at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He has served on the Board of Education since 1994. Chris and his wife, Ann, have three children who have graduated from AHS.

Message from Rev. Ward:
I take the responsibility of being a public trustee on the board of education very seriously. As your elected representative, I am here to serve you--and therefore, I am always open to hearing from you. Feel free to contact me with your concerns. At Allegan Public Schools, our priority is putting students first. I believe that the APS administrative team solves problems so students can succeed. The momentum of APS is 'forward' ! I am optimistic about our school's future. We will continue to improve our facilities, our programs, and our classroom offerings to further benefit our students.

Steve Tibbitts - Vice President

Personal Information:
Steve Tibbitts is a 1980 graduate of Allegan High School. He lives in Allegan with his wife, Jana, and their two children Julie and Nathan, who both attend Allegan Public Schools. Steve is a financial consultant at his own firm in Allegan, Tibbitts Financial Consulting. He has served on the Board of Education since 2003.

Message from Mr. Tibbitts:
I feel that a sound school system is a critical part of a growing community, and that APS is a great example. I feel fortunate to be a part of continuing to support all of the positive work that has been done, as well as meeting the new challenges that lie ahead.

Mr. Mark Davidhizar - Secretary

Personal Information:

Mark Davidhizar was elected to the Board of Education in 2004. He and his wife, Betsy, have four children in the Allegan Public Schools (Drew, Anna, Austin, and Adarae). Mark is the director of Camp Beechpoint.

My experience as an educator and my dedication to helping the youth of our region, will allow me to serve the children of APS with the same dedication that I have for my own children. Serving as a board member will allow me to protect and expand the education of our most treasured asset . . . our kids.

Mr. Phil Siegler - Treasurer

Personal Information:

Phil Siegler is a lifelong resident of Allegan. He and his wife, Janet, have four children--Elizabeth, Andrew, and Aaron (AHS grads), and Allie (8th grader at L.E. White Middle School). Phil is a partner/insurance agent at the Bartz-Rumery Agency in Allegan. He is a member of the First Congregational Church and he enjoys music and the arts, playing the piano, travel, and camping with his family. He was elected to the Board of Education in 2005.

Message from Mr. Siegler:

As a lifetime resident of Allegan, I have witnessed many changes and improvements to our school facilities, programs and curriculum. I believe we have the ability to provide our students with outstanding educational opportunities for a community of our size. I understand that there are many challenges ahead. I am confident that my life, business, and community experiences, combined with a sincere desire to see that our students succeed, will make me an asset to the board. I view serving on the board of education as an honor and a continuation of my education at Allegan Public Schools!

Mrs. Leslie Samuelson - Trustee

Personal Information:
Leslie Samuelson has served on the Board of Education since 1996. She has a BA degree from Cedarville University (teaching/education). For the past 20 years she has been employed as the Marketing and Public Relations Specialist for McDonald's Restaurant of Allegan. Leslie has three children, Selena, Erik & Jason, all graduates of the Allegan Public School system. She has lived in Allegan for 25 years and is married to Jim, who happens to be a 1969 graduate of Allegan High School.

Message from Mrs. Samuelson:
It's a privilege to be able to serve on the Allegan School Board. I am very proud of our school system and all that it has to offer, not only to our students but the community as well. We have some of the best facilities, teachers and staff in the state. It is rewarding and exciting to be a part of the continual changes and growth that have been and are occurring here.

Mr. Steven VanderVeen - Trustee

Personal Information:
Steve VanderVeen is a 1977 Allegan High School Graduate and a 1984 Graduate of the University of Minnesota. Steve is the funeral director of Gorden Funeral Residence, Inc., in Allegan. He has lived in the Allegan Public School District for 36 years and served on the Board of Education since 1997. He has two children attending Allegan Public Schools and one who graduated from AHS. Steve and his wife Mary, are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Dr. Dale Wittkop - Trustee

Personal Information:

Dale Wittkop was recently elected to serve a 4-year term on the Allegan Public Schools’ Board of Education. Trustee Wittkop is an optometrist at Allegan Eyecare. He and his wife, Lee, have a son, Alex, who is in the 4th grade at North Ward Elementary.

He begins his board service with an apparent willingness to learn, as he has already taken Boardmanship class CBA 101 from the Michigan Association of School Boards and is "hitting the ground running," already having been named to the Board Finance, Policy, and Curriculum/School Improvement Committees.

Message from Dr. Wittkop:

"My goal is to do everything I can to help ALL students achieve their highest potential at APS."