Tawas Area superintendent announces retirement
by John Morris

TAWAS CITY - After nearly 30 years in education, Tawas Area Schools Superintendent Donald Thwing has decided to retire.

Thwing, who has been in education for the past 29 years, including the last two as Tawas Area’s superintendent and the previous 11 years as principal at Tawas City Elementary, announced his retirement at Monday’s school board meeting. His retirement is effective at the end of the school year, June 30.
“After giving the matter a good deal of thought, I have decided that it is time for me to begin a different chapter in my life,” Thwing said in his letter to the board. “I would like to spend additional time with my family, become more involved with the community in a different capacity and spend more time focusing on my personal health and lifestyle.”

In accepting his retirement, the school board later formed a committee of President Elaine Brown and Trustees Mark Timreck and Connie O’Connor to begin the search of Thwing’s replacement.

Thwing replaced Jerry Youngs, Tawas Area’s superintendent for the previous three years. Youngs replaced 19-year Tawas Area Superintendent David Conzelmann.

Thwing began his educational career as a counselor and social worker at the Kersley school district in Flint. He also worked in the same capacity at Genesee Intermediate School District and at Linden.

He then was hired as a social worker at the Iosco Intermediate School District, covering Tawas, Hale and Whittemore-Prescott schools. Thwing later worked as a school counselor at Whittemore-Prescott, then became its director of special services.

In addition to his 11 years as Tawas City Elementary principal, Thwing’s other duties for the district have included the blood borne pathogens plan coordinator, emergency management plan coordinator and he served as the district’s liaison for a variety of human services agencies.

“I have always felt that I was involved in work that was meaningful and positive,” Thwing said. “Having said this, it is difficult to think about leaving, but I am convinced that the time to do so has arrived.”

Thwing and his wife, Lee, a Tawas Area elementary teacher, have two sons who are Tawas Area graduates, Donald III and Rob, and two grandchildren.

“I want to thank the staff, my fellow administrators, the community and you as a board for all of the dedication and many kindnesses you have afforded me and my family,” Thwing said. “I want to most especially thank you for the commitment to excellence that is so Tawas.

“I am fully confident that, with my departure, the district will continue to thrive and excel because, after all, it is Tawas.”

“I have always felt that I was involved in work that was meaningful and positive,” Thwing said. “Having said this, it is difficult to think about leaving, but I am convinced that the time to do so has arrived.”

Thwing and his wife, Lee, a Tawas Area elementary teacher, have two sons who are Tawas Area graduates, Donald III and Rob, and two grandchildren.

“I want to thank the staff, my fellow administrators, the community and you as a board for all of the dedication and many kindnesses you have afforded me and my family,” Thwing said. “I want to most especially thank you for the commitment to excellence that is so Tawas.

“I am fully confident that, with my departure, the district will continue to thrive and excel because, after all, it is Tawas.”

Thwing said the board has known “for a while” of his decision to retire.

Likewise, Thwing received praise from the school board and administrators for a “job well done.”

“You are a smart man and a good man,” board Vice President John Freel told Thwing at Monday’s meeting. “We’ve had a lot of obstacles come our way and you’ve handled them with the utmost of professionalism. It comes with deep regret that we accept your retirement.”

In another matter, the district hired two full-time educational assistants to help with the overcrowding in second and third grades at Clara Bolen Elementary. Hired Monday were Sharon Franks and Kathy Curry who will work in the capacity through the end of the school year.

The board also agreed to get bids for two new school buses.