Dear DVUSD Community,

Happy Holidays. Despite that common phrase, the holidays are not always a happy time. Sometimes our kids and loved ones feel stress and anxiety during the holiday season.

You can help your loved ones by making sure to spend quality time with your family and friends during the winter break. Give your kids a hug -- or several hugs! Focus on what your kids are saying and doing. Be present. Tell them why they are special.

The best gift we can give our loved ones this holiday season is the gift of hope. Students feel hope when others believe in them and their future.

Have a safe winter break and an #Extraordinary 2019!

Sincerely,
Curtis Finch, PhD

Curtis Finch, PhD

Dr. Finch’s quest for educational excellence began at an early age in Alaska with his mother as a school bus driver and father as the school district’s maintenance director; the school system was the center of the community. As a young adult, Curtis utilized the long summer days to skipper a commercial fishing boat, work construction, and mine gold to pay for his college education.

Curtis received a BA in Secondary Mathematics, a MA in Administration, and a PhD in Education. Dr. Finch has spent 24 years in administration at the Middle School, High School, Superintendent, and ISD levels. He has received two state Winner’s Circle awards and a Region III Superintendent of the Year award. The past eighteen years as a Superintendent has afforded Curt opportunities to shape educational issues, testifying before the Michigan Legislature, the FCC in Washington DC, and serving on local, state, and national committees. He has also passed multiple school levies, recently securing a $40 million Special Education Enhancement Millage and later creating Meceola Technical College for vocationally training adults.

Dr. Finch is married to Angie and has a daughter who is a math professor and a son who is completing his eye doctor residency.