Superintendent's Message

From the Desk of Jake Helms
Superintendent of Central Montcalm Public School

Dear Community Members:

My name is Jacob (Jake or Jack) Helms and I am pleased to have been selected to be the Interim Superintendent for Central Montcalm Schools. For those of you that I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I will tell you a few things about myself by way of introduction. I grew up on a farm just east of Stanton, was proud to be a “green hornet” and am a 1971 graduate of Central Montcalm. I earned my BS & MA from Central Michigan University and started my professional career as a History and Geography teacher at Vestaburg Community Schools, followed by the position of High School Principal at Baraga Area Schools in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. From there, I went on to hold Superintendent positions at Bergland Community Schools, Brimley Area Schools, Hart Public Schools, and the Manistee Intermediate School District. I retired from the Michigan Education system in 2003.

Since that time my wife and I have been traveling for her job. She is a Respiratory Therapist and works for an agency that places medical personnel in temporary assignments throughout the country. We have two grown sons, Todd, who is teaching in Hulett, Wyoming, and Scott, who is attending Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. My “roots” are here in this community, and my wife and I have family and friends who live and work here.

We are happy and proud to have a history and an association with Central Montcalm. We are living in the house at Clifford Lake that we lived in 35 years ago. I guess you really can "go home again". Central Montcalm is a terrific school district. We have many talented and dedicated staff members from teachers, coaches and classroom aides to bus drivers, custodians, grounds keepers and cooks, to secretaries and office personnel, administrators and the Board of Education. Not to forget a superb network of volunteers and one of the highest levels of community support in the State. We have solid educational programs and many extra-curricular offerings in which our students participate.

My goal is to assist the School Board and our staff ensuring that we all are working together for the benefit of our students. My educational philosophy has always been and will continue to be doing "what's best for kids." By striving for educational excellence at all levels, I believe that we can make our great school even better! The administrative offices have moved to the west wing of the middle school. You can expect to see me out and about in the district and my office door is always open. I invite you to stop in with any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have or just to say "Hello".