Jim Hewitt has been a dedicated member of the Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education since 2015.

Born and raised in the Marquette area, Jim has a deep connection to the local community and his lifelong commitment to Marquette’s growth and success has shaped his perspective as a board member. He has been actively involved in various aspects of the community, advocating for educational improvements, and promoting programs that benefit students and families.

Jim’s professional background includes extensive experience in the banking industry since 2008, where he has developed a strong skill set in leadership, finance, and strategic planning.

This experience serves him well in his role on the MAPS Board, where he works collaboratively with other members to ensure sound fiscal decisions, promote effective policy, and maintain a high standard of education.

As a board member, Jim has helped steer MAPS efforts to improve our facilities, enhance the curriculum, and ensure the district remains fiscally sound.

He’s helped build a program at MAPS which truly addresses the myriad needs of our students, those academic and in many cases, much, more – a mission of paramount importance, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hewitt believes that every student deserves access to a high-quality education and that the MAPS community plays an essential role in helping them achieve their fullest potential.

In his free time, Jim enjoys spending time with family, watching his kids’ sporting events, cooking and exercising. He also helps coach and manage his son’s soccer team.

Jim has strong family ties to education. His parents are both retired teachers from the district. His father taught math and English at Graveraet Middle School for the majority of his career and in his final years became assistant principal of Graveraet and then moved to Bothwell when the two middle schools consolidated, where he retired.

Jim’s mother taught Math, initially at Bothwell Middle School for a few years before moving to MSHS where she retired. After retiring from MAPS she worked at NMU for many more years as part of the adjunct faculty in the Math department.

His grandparents both worked for Manistique High School; his grandfather was the drafting and shop teacher and his grandmother was the Art teacher.

Jim’s wife, Melissa, has been a MAPS employee since 2007 and is currently an instructional coach at Bothwell Middle School.

Jim and Melissa’s three children attend MAPS at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Melissa’s father is a retired PE/Health teacher and was a long-time wrestling coach at Iron Mountain Public Schools and her mother retired from the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Community Schools preschool program.

Both Jim and Melissa have a large number of additional aunts and uncles who are retired educators. This is something they are very proud of, as a good education plays a significant role in the development of children; and that ultimately shapes our communities.

On a personal note, it’s hard to summarize my appreciation for Jim’s role on the BOE. His calm demeanor and strategic approach to board business is something I’ve leaned heavily on throughout my tenure as Superintendent. Through the celebrations and the challenges, Jim has remained a voice of reason. He is intelligent, well-informed, reflective, and honest. Most of all, Jim is wise.

So in closing I say thank you, Jim Hewitt, for your for your incredible talents which you’ve invested into our community’s children, and for your leadership through the last 10 years of service to the Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education.

You will be greatly missed!