Webberville Community Schools

When students return in the fall they will be greeted by many exciting changes in the middle/high school building. They will have access to new classrooms, updated computer labs, a new weight training room, and a new media center. The changes in the secondary building are creating a renewed sense of pride and a spirit of enthusiasm among the students and staff in the building. Another change the district is excited to announce is that Mr. Brian Friddle will be leading the middle/high school in the pursuit of excellence in the position of secondary principal.

Friddle comes to Webberville from Byron Center, MI, where he was the assistant principal at Byron Center High School since 1998. In addition to being assistant principal, Friddle held the position of guidance counselor and junior varsity football coach. Byron Center High School was awarded the State of Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Award as well as the National Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Award during Friddle’s tenure there. Friddle was also the founder of the Kent County Education Technology Consortium, which was created with the vision of training educational staff across Kent County, encouraging the advancement of educational technologies in the local districts. When asked why he chose to come to Webberville, Friddle commented, “I am choosing to work with the team in Webberville because of the strong vision that I can see for the community's future. After talking with the teachers and the board of education, I feel it is apparent that they are passionate about providing the best opportunities for students.”

Friddle will take the helm of the secondary building and lead the dynamic changes that are happening in the district. Enrollment is on a steady increase within the district for the first time in over ten years, and staff and administration have committed to a common vision to be a premier school system. Friddle will add his own enthusiasm and dedication to the district. “I enjoy coming to work every day because I know that the time invested makes a difference in the lives of the students. I am very passionate about providing opportunities for students so that they get excited about the learning process. When a student is able to find a niche that motivates them in school, we typically see better performance in all of the areas of that student's life.” commented Friddle.

When Friddle was asked to communicate his goals for the secondary building, he stated, “It is my desire to see a culture and climate developed that are based on high standards, but are also warm and friendly and encourage people to strive for their best while engaging them in the educational process. I also hope to promote a vision for the new opportunities that will impact us all in our global economy. Various communication tools and technologies have impacted and will continue to impact, the way that we live, are educated, and are employed.”

Dr. William C. Skilling, superintendent of Webberville Community Schools, shared his thoughts regarding the board’s decision to hire Friddle, “Mr. Friddle is a man of vision, integrity, and character. He has proven leadership skills working with a teaching staff, students and the community to create a shared vision and to transform the culture of the school into a high achieving - premier school.”

Parents, teachers, and students had the opportunity to meet Mr. Friddle at a special board meeting on April 26 th. He will be visiting the community on several occasions before the end of the school year and will be attending graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 28 th. Friddle, his wife, Carmen, and their two sons, Joshua, age 8, and Caleb, age 3, are currently looking for housing within the district. Friddle noted, “I am looking forward to the smaller learning environment that Webberville Community Schools offers. Small learning communities are the goal of most educational institutions because we realize the importance of relationships in the educational process.”