Mark Bielang ( Central Michigan University: Ed.S. ’92 Educational Administration; Western Michigan
University: B.S. ‘74 Industrial Education; M.A. ‘81 Educational Leadership) is Superintendent of Portage
Public Schools, a position he has held since 2013. Prior to Portage, Bielang was Superintendent of
Schools in Paw Paw, MI for 18 years (1995-2013).
Mark started his educational career as an Industrial Education/Building Trades teacher in Three Rivers,
MI where he went on to begin his administrative career as an assistant high school principal. Other stops
on his journey included serving as principal at Central Montcalm High School (MI) and Ionia High School
(MI).
In 2005-06 Bielang was elected by his peers to serve as president of the Michigan Association of School
Administrators (MASA). He also served on the American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
Governing Board and Executive Committee and during the 2009-10 school year was elected as AASA
President. In the community, Mark has been an active member of local Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs and
has been a long-serving president of Habitat for Humanity Van Buren County. For several years, Mark
was on the board of The Center for Courage and Renewal (CCR), a Seattle-based organization founded
by author, activist, and teacher, Parker Palmer. The foundational practices and principles of CCR
continue to influence Mark’s work and that of district leaders to lead with courage and integrity.
Mark has always been a builder. Whether it’s building a house, a school, or an organization, all require a
strong foundation. Consistent and reliable leadership requires that these foundations be strengthened
in order to create great organizations. While in Paw Paw, Mark oversaw the construction of a new high
school and elementary school in addition to major renovations of other district facilities. In Portage,
Mark helped facilitate the passage of the two largest bond proposals in district history… the first of
which resulted in two new middle schools, natatoriums at the two high school campuses, and new
stadiums and athletic event facilities at each high school. The second bond will allow for, among other
facility improvements, the replacement of the district’s five oldest elementary schools.
Today, Mark is working with his administrative team and staff to make Portage Public Schools the best
place for students to learn, teachers to teach, staff to work, and parents to send their children to get a
high quality education.
Outside of work Mark enjoys woodworking, hiking, golfing, riding both his pedal bike and his Harley
bike, and spending time with his family which includes three children and five grandchildren.
