The Board of Directors of Merritt Academy is the legal entity for the academy. They oversee the academy as the policy-making body but do not micro manage the school. The principal is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school under the direction of the board and management company.
The principal, teachers, and staff are employees of The Romine Group, LLC. All employees and the management company are under the authority of the Board of Directors.
None of the board members has a financial interest in the school, nor are any of the members of the team related to one another.
President
Karen Boska
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Term - 3 Years
My name is Karen Boska. I have worked for Macomb County for the past fifteen years. I am also a board member for a local non-profit organization. I have been married for fourteen years and have two daughters that attend Merritt.
Vice President
Jean Dery
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Term - 3 Years
My name is Karen Boska. I have worked for Macomb County for the past fifteen years. I am also a board member for a local non-profit organization. I have been married for fourteen years and have two daughters that attend Merritt.
Treasurer
Karen Bochatyn
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Term - 3 Years
I have been on the Board of Directors for 5 years. I am very dedicated to improving children’s education. I am a high school graduate and have worked for thirty-three years. I have raised three boys. I was very involved as they were growing up. I have four grandchildren that attend Merritt Academy. I enjoy working with the administration and staff at Merritt in anyway I can.
Secretary
Daniel VanDeKerkhove
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Daniel VanDeKerkhove is a married father of three – two of which are of school age and are enrolled at Merritt Academy. He has a Bachelor’s Degree of Law Enforcement from Ferris State University and an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Macomb Community College. He has lived locally in the New Haven area for 12+ years and has remained active in the community, serving on various governmental and non-governmental bodies and serving the local community in other capacities. He is honest, open, and straightforward with his beliefs, and encourages others to be as well; he believes that communities reach their finest moments only after all voices have been heard and considered through active civic participation. Daniel is a strong believer in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and seeks to preserve the reverence of those founding principles in our society’s future generations. Among many, one of Daniel’s favorite quotes is “Let it not be said that we did nothing.”

Member at Large
Christina Zettle
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Term - 3 Years
Christina Zettle is a married mother of two – one of which is school age and attends Merritt Academy. Christina earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Human Resources and with a minor in Business Law from Central Michigan University. Christina also earned an MBA with a dual concentration in Management and Marketing. For the past 15+ years, Christina has worked in the Automotive Industry most recently serving as a consultant to automotive dealers in the local area with a focus on finance, compliance, processes, and sales training. She has resided in Chesterfield with her family for the past 10+ years and frequents Port Austin where she grew up and now has a cottage. For fun, Christina likes to stay active, go for long walks on the beach, and do anything that allows her creativity to flourish.