Justin Gluesing

ALPENA — Justin Gluesing, assistant superintendent for human resources and labor relations for Alpena Public Schools, has accepted a position with Crawford AuSable School District in Grayling as its new superintendent.

The Crawford County Avalanche reported last week that the Crawford AuSable Board of Education approved a contract with Gluesing at its meeting on April 8.

Gluesing was not at Monday’s Alpena Board of Education meeting and was not available for comment.

He will start his new position with Crawford AuSable on July 1, but will transition into the job in June. Current Crawford AuSable Superintendent Joe Powers retired from the position on March 31, 2018, but was brought back on a part-time basis to serve the school district. Powers will work with Gluesing in June during the transition period, the Avalanche reported.

Among his immediate goals, according to the Avalanche: Gluesing will help with transitioning the fifth grade from Grayling Elementary School to Grayling Middle School. He will also help develop a play area for the younger students near the school, the Avalanche reported.

Gluesing was a finalist for the superintendent’s job for the Crawford, Oscoda, Ogemaw, and Roscommon Intermediate School District, which was filled earlier this year.

Alpena Superintendent John VanWagoner said Monday that the district is happy for Gluesing and his family for this opportunity, but also sad to see him go, both professionally and as a friend.

“I’ll miss working with him every day, but, fortunately, he’s still here in the north with us, so we can work together on different projects and such for the benefit of kids in both districts,” VanWagoner said.

Gluesing was hired by APS in 2004 as the athletic director. He was also an assistant principal and principal with the district before moving up to an assistant superintendent position in 2017.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.

In other news

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education on Monday approved two new project-based learning courses at Alpena High School. Sophomores next year will now have the option to take World Perspectives and Science in the Bay. World Perspectives is a combination of English and history and the students will study world history and literature. Science in the Bay will give students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of fundamental science and engineering concepts through hands-on learning in Thunder Bay.