Mesyar accepts Onekama superintendent job

Dan Mesyar

Mesyar accepts Onekama superintendent job

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

ONEKAMA  — Dan Mesyar has been named as the next superintendent of Onekama Consolidated School District. Mesyar, who has served as Ludington High School principal since 2016, was offered the position by the Onekama district board of education during a special meeting Tuesday, June 27. 

The board of education started its search in April with an initial selection of candidates on April 24. A first round of interviews was held on May 2 and 3 and a second round on May 8, Mesyar was not one of the initial candidates interviewed. An offer was made on May 8 to Aaron West, who declined. Another finalist, Craig Carmoney, withdrew. 

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity,” Mesyar said. “I was able to tour the community today with members of the board of education and staff. Onekama is a great place and I am excited to become its next superintendent.” 

In 2022, Mesyar was a finalist for the superintendent position in 2022 at Fremont Public Schools and Shelby Public Schools. Those positions were filled by Brad Jacobs (who had been superintendent of Inland Lakes Public Schools and had previously served as Mason County Central High School principal) and Mark Olmstead (who had served as Shelby High School principal, and previously served as MCC Middle School principal and, prior to that, MCC High School assistant principal).  

Mesyar is a 1994 graduate of Ludington High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and physical education from Calvin College in 1999, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2005 and an educational specialist degree from GVSU in 2013. He taught physical education at O.J. DeJonge Middle School from 2001-2003 then taught government at LHS from 2003-2008.

From 2008-2016 he served as LHS assistant principal before being named principal in 2016. 

Mesyar’s wife, Amy is a special education supervisor with the West Shore Educational Service District. Mesyar said he is committed to being part of the Onekama community.