Meet the New Assistant Principals Leading CHS and CMS

As the 2026-27 school year approaches, Coopersville Area Public Schools is welcoming two Assistant Principals at Coopersville High School and Coopersville Middle School.

Phil Wilkerson joins Coopersville High School as Assistant Principal, while Brett Meerman moves from the classroom into the Assistant Principal role at Coopersville Middle School.

Phil Wilkerson | Coopersville High School

Ask Mr. Wilkerson what inspired him to become an educator, and his answer begins with gratitude.

"My own high school teachers and coaches had a tremendous impact on me," he said. "Seeing the difference they made in my life and in the lives of other students inspired me to pursue a career in education."

Those experiences shaped a career that began in the classroom at Comstock Park Public Schools and Rockford Public Schools, where his longtime interest in history also led him to earn a social studies endorsement. He later moved into school leadership, spending the past two years as Assistant Principal at Orchard View High School.

Mr. Wilkerson enters his new role at CHS with a great appreciation for the work already being done at Coopersville. He looks forward to getting to know the students and staff, learning from those around him, and becoming a positive part of the Bronco community.

"I am truly honored to join Coopersville Area Public Schools. ... Most of all, I am excited to have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of students in the community where I live and where my two sons are growing up," he said. "That makes this opportunity particularly meaningful to me."

Outside of school, Mr. Wilkerson enjoys spending time with his family, camping, hunting, and being outdoors. He can often be found grilling or mowing the lawn with an audiobook or podcast playing in the background. And when he gets the chance, he picks up his guitar, though he'll be the first to admit he falls just short of rock star status.

Brett Meerman | Coopersville Middle School

Mr. Meerman's connection to education began long before he had a classroom of his own. Growing up, he had a front-row seat to the work through his mother, who spent more than 30 years as a Coopersville educator.

"My mom was the biggest inspiration," he said. "I spent so many hours in her classroom as a child helping her make copies, run errands, and create bulletin boards. That helped build the origin of my passion."

After teaching at Allendale Middle School and Grand Rapids Public Schools, Mr. Meerman returned to Coopersville in 2024 to teach at Coopersville Middle School. Now, his move into administration will give him the opportunity to broaden the way he supports students.

"I am most looking forward to working with multiple grade levels in my new role as Assistant Principal," he said. "... This will also allow me to work more intensively with each student's individual needs."

Mr. Meerman and his wife, Caren, met while attending Coopersville High School. Today, Caren serves as a district paraprofessional, and their two daughters will begin preschool this fall.

Bronco athletics have also been a big part of Mr. Meerman's life. His father spent years coaching, officiating, and volunteering, and Mr. Meerman went on to coach football for 10 years himself.

Outside of school, Mr. Meerman enjoys camping, gardening, hunting, exploring, and traveling with his family. They're working toward a goal of visiting all 50 states and have made several trips to Hawaii, where Caren's parents live. Lately, Mr. Meerman and his daughters have been searching for the best playground slide around, especially if it's a water slide.

Looking Ahead

As students return to school this fall, they'll have the opportunity to get to know two leaders with different journeys, but a shared commitment to supporting students and strengthening the Bronco community.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Phil Wilkerson to Coopersville Area Public Schools and congratulating Mr. Brett Meerman on his new role at Coopersville Middle School.