Rob Blitchok, incoming superintendent at Thornapple Kellogg Schools in Middleville, starts July 1, and he’s ready to get going. After four years with TK, the licensed, non-practicing attorney was assistant superintendent and pretty familiar with the systems and district.

He says there’s a big difference between being an assistant and a superintendent, and he’s very excited about the opportunity. He looks forward to re-introducing himself to the school district residents.

“I’m very, very humbled and excited, too. I’m ready to go to work,” he said.

Blitchok succeeds Superintendent Tom Enslen, an educator for 35 years and Thornapple Kellogg’s leader for the last six years.

 

Enslen  is leaving the district is in good shape, with the biggest challenge Blitchok sees as managing expected growth intelligently.  Blitchok and Enslen made it a practice to take lunch breaks in different parts of the district including Freeport, Gun Lake and Delton.

 

Born and raised in Grandville, Blitchok has fallen in love with Barry County, with its rural atmosphere, scenic nature, and less traffic and noise. ” I didn’t realize this was even here,” he said. The longer he’s in Barry County, the more he likes it and the less he thinks of all the traffic and noise of a big city, he said.

Blitchok’s experience includes as a social studies teacher, dean, assistant principal and building principal a Forest Hills Schools. He also served on the Grandville School Board of Education for nine years.

Blitchok’s wife Julie works in Kalamazoo. They have four children, three girls and a boy.

 

The T K School Board offered the post to Blitchok by unanimous vote at a special meeting April 16. Board members agreed that he meets the expectations of the board, staff and community; a collaborative leader who drives continuous improvement in student learning and a transparent leader who will communicate clearly and consistently with the public and staff to keep people informed.

 Blitchok holds a law degree from Wayne State University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Western Michigan University, and a Graduate Teacher Certification from Grand Valley State University.

 

Photo:  Incoming superintendent of Thornapple Kellogg Schools, Robert Blitchok