Hartland School Board Approves New High School Principal

The Hartland school board voted during Tuesday night’s meeting to approve the new hires of three administrative positions in Hartland Schools.

Kate Gregory, currently the dean of students at was selected for the assistant principal position at Hartland High School. Mary Day, currently a school counselor at Farms Intermediate was selected for the assistant principal position at and Benjamin Maika is the new Hartland High School principal.

Mainka, a principal at Fowlerville Junior High School, was selected out of 35 applicants to replace Hartland High School principal Chuck Hughes.

After 12 years as the Hartland High School principal, Hughes has accepted a position at the central office beginning in the 2012-2013 school year as the new Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Introducing his successor to the school board, Hughes said he was excited to have a replacement who will continue to take Hartland in a successful direction.

“He (Mainka) has done his research on the school district, he knows what we’re about, he understands what we’re about,” Hughes said. “He’s got the youthful energy and he’s got some wonderful connections with the Michigan Association of Secondary School principals.”

Assistant superintendent Scott Van Epps told the board that Mainka would continue to bring stability and leadership to the high school.

“He’s a man of character, a man of integrity,” Van Epps said. “I think he’s going to be a great ambassador for the Hartland community and the Hartland school district.”

The father of three young girls, Mainka and his wife Jennifer moved to area six years ago. 

“For our family, it was really important to me to be involved in the community where my family is,” Mainka said. “And it just happens that we’ve always held Hartland in such high-esteem that we were going to send our kids to school there.” 

Excited to begin his new job, Mainka says he understands the “large shoes” he will be filling but says he is happy about his 12-minute commute to work and is looking forward to getting new Eagle gear for football season.