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OCP file photo/Joe Conkle in 2023.
WALKERVILLE — Walkerville Public Schools Superintendent/Principal Joe Conkle has announced he is resigning after accepting the position of assistant principal of the Newaygo County RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
Conkle was hired as Walkerville’s superintendent/principal, July 1, 2023, when Dr. Tom Langdon retired. He served as Walkerville’s K-12 principal for five years prior to taking the superintendent/principal position.
The school leader shared the following letter Monday, July 20:
Dear Walkerville parents, students, staff, and community:
After much prayer and conversation with my family, I’ve made the difficult decision to accept the position of assistant principal in the CTE program run by the Newaygo County RESA.
This means that I’ll be leaving my position as superintendent and principal of Walkerville Public Schools.
What made this decision so difficult for me is that my dad and other family members and friends are Walkerville alumni, so being a proud Wildcat in spirit has been in my DNA for a very long time.
The saying is true. “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
In my eight years in Walkerville, I’ve been privileged to serve our students, families, and community.
You helped me get anchored as a school leader by providing me with the wise mentorship of former Superintendent Dr. Tom Langdon, and then you allowed me to keep growing as an educator.
I’ve learned so much from so many in our school family; from students and staff as well as from parents, community members, regional educational partners, and our elected school board trustees.
Together, we have celebrated many successes in our school over the years, across every grade level and throughout all of our programs, facilities, technology, and infrastructure initiatives.
Without a doubt, every district the size of Walkerville has its own set of unique challenges.
But the dedication and talents of our staff – along with the support and generosity of our community – have ensured that the students in our school will always be ready to pursue success in life after high school graduation, whatever their chosen path.
Preparing its children for the future matters big time here in Walkerville.
So, my decision to leave the school district is bittersweet.
While I’m excited about the opportunities ahead in my new position, my heart aches with the loss of all I’ve grown to love and appreciate here.
I’ve witnessed how YOU, our staff, parents, and community members have followed in the footsteps of prior generations, consistently supporting efforts to strengthen the vitality of Walkerville’s educational mission, with both today and tomorrow in mind.
Thank YOU for this.
I’ll do my best to make sure the handoff to new school leadership is as smooth as possible in the days ahead and puts the needs of Walkerville’s students first.
Sincerely,
Joe Conkle, Superintendent and Principal
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