North Ed Leaders Thank Trustee Scherrer for Nearly 25 Years of Service
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Northwest Education Services (North Ed) is seeking candidates to fill a vacant seat on its Board of Education following the announced retirement of a longtime board member due to health circumstances.
Trustee Jim Scherrer announced during North Ed’s Sept. 3 board meeting that he was stepping away from board duties to focus on his health. Scherrer, who represented Leelanau County and resides within the Northport Public School district, had served since 2006 on the intermediate school district’s seven-member board as a trustee and vice president. He served previously from 2001 to 2006 on the board at Northport Public School.
“It has been a cherished honor to support the students, our superb staff members and excellent and effective services at all levels of North Ed,” Scherrer said. “It has been a privilege to serve alongside our superintendent and passionate colleagues on the Board to strengthen public education in our region.”
In addition to his service on the school boards, Scherrer retired in 2016 after serving as the executive director of Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan.
“Mr. Scherrer’s lifelong service to his community and the families who live here is a testament to his character,” said North Ed Superintendent Dr. Tara Mager. “For more than two decades, he has been a dedicated champion for our organization, and his presence on the board has had a profound influence on students and educators throughout the region. His leadership, care and integrity have left a lasting impact on North Ed and on each of us who have had the honor to serve with him.”
The remaining members of North Ed’s board will appoint an individual to fill the vacant seat. The appointee will serve until the end of Scherrer’s vacated term, June 30, 2027.
North Ed is currently seeking applicants from Leelanau County. Interested individuals must be a registered voter; a resident of either Glen Lake Community Schools, Leland Public School, Northport Public School or Suttons Bay Public Schools; and must submit a letter of interest and resume, in writing or via email, by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 to Renee Childers (rchilders@NorthwestEd.org), Northwest Education Services, 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684.
The North Ed Board of Education meets once a month with occasional special meetings and work sessions.
The board’s primary responsibilities are establishing a budget, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, approving official policies and guiding the direction of the district through actions taken at public meetings.
According to board policy and Michigan’s Revised School Code 380.614, not more than two members of the intermediate school board shall be from the same school district unless there are fewer districts than there are positions to be filled. Additionally, Sec. 380.612 states that not more than three members of the intermediate school board may also serve at the same time as a member of the board of a constituent district or board of directors of a public school academy. Only one North Ed board member, President Rachael Birgy, currently serves on a local school board.
North Ed’s current board members and their related constituent school districts are:
Birgy: Kalkaska Public Schools
Elizabeth Petrella and Lisa Thomas: Traverse City Area Public Schools
Beth Lajko: Kingsley Area Schools
Rick Schmitt: Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools
Burt Thompson: Mancelona Public Schools
For more information, contact North Ed’s administrative offices at 231.922.6200.
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