Hungry Kids, No Budget, and Still Showing Up: The Realities of Leading in 2025 – Michelle Gill

Superintendent Michelle Gill of Pine River Area Schools doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. In this episode, she shares what it’s like to lead a rural district where poverty is high, trust is broken, and the budget is missing. From student-led culture campaigns to 302 square miles of logistical challenges, Michelle shows what real leadership looks like when the system won’t budge. This conversation is raw, real, and a must-hear for anyone leading on empty.

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