Michigan Association of School Administrators 1001 Centennial Way Suite 300 Lansing, MI 48917-9279 (517) 327-5910 FAX: (517) 327-0779
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Shelby to interview 7 for superintendent
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:02:00 -0500
Posted: 9-2-2010 Shelby to interview 7 for superintendent Fred Osborn, Scott Lund on interview schedule By Allison Scarbrough Herald-Journal Writer SHELBY ? Thomas Read Elementary School Principal Fred Osborn and Oceana High School Principal and Shelby Middle School Athletic Director Scott Lund are among seven candidates vying for the superintendent position at S
Bobb opposes Detroit school board transition plans
Associated Press - September 2, 2010 2:44 PM ET DETROIT (AP) - Emergency financial manager Robert Bobb doesn't support a former superintendent's selection as special adviser to assist the district if it is allowed to transition back to Detroit school board control. The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press report that the elected Board of Education has chosen Eddie Green as a volunteer liaison. G
Michigan picks 28 schools for improvement grants
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:50:00 -0500
Twenty-eight of the lowest-performing schools in the state will receive nearly $82.7 million in school improvement grants from the federal government, the Michigan Department of Education announced Thursday. Of the 28 winners, 13 were from the metro Detroit area and were awarded a total of $35.4 million, including Detroit Public Schools, which will get about $16 million to use in six schools. A t
District's new superintendent shares hope for school year
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:38:00 -0500
By Andy Kozlowski C & G Staff Writer MADISON HEIGHTS — For the Madison Public Schools District, 2010 got off to a rocky start as its Board of Education underwent a string of shakeups that included multiple trustee resignations and the resignation of then-Superintendent Gary Vettori, who said the board wanted to go in a different direction.
Marysville seeks public's help
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:26:00 -0500
While Marysville Public Schools Superintendent John Silveri is not officially out the door, the Marysville Board of Education is preparing the search to fill his shoes. The Marysville Board of Education recently selected the Michigan Association of School Boards to conduct the search for a new superintendent. It also will host a public community forum at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Mary
DPS board taps ex-school chief to help transition at Bobb's exit
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:14:00 -0500
Detroit -- The Detroit Board of Education tapped a former district superintendent to help transition from an emergency financial manager to a fully empowered board. The board appointed Eddie Green to the post of special adviser. In that role, he'll lead work groups and develop a written transition plan that will outline the exchange of power when Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb's term is
WILLIAM COALE: Holland School District decision worth monitoring
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:14:00 -0500
The Board of Education of the Holland School District is seeking an opinion from Michigan’s attorney general regarding whether or not they will be forced to honor the previous contract during the time that negotiations for a successor agreement are taking place.The statute in question is of importance to all Michigan taxpayers because it has had a significant impact on how local school contr
Hemlock school board wants second interview with another finalist before deciding whether to hire superintendent
Tom Gilchrist | The Saginaw News Follow Share this story Story tools HEMLOCK -- Hemlock School District leaders will interview Dan Cwayna a second time on Thursday at 7 p.m. before deciding whether to make him, Corinne Netzley -- or neither -- their new superintendent. The board voted 7 to 0 Tuesday night to give a secon
Boyne Falls narrows search for new superintendent/building administrator
BOYNE FALLS — Boyne Falls Public Schools conducted interviews on Monday with the final two candidates to fill the vacant superintendent/building administrator position at the school. The position is a combination of the superintendent and K-12 principal positions, which became available this summer after former superintendent, Gary Urman, retired and K-12 principal, Paul Zagata took a high school
Wayland Schools hires new superintendent
WAYLAND, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – They Wayland School district has put new leadership into place. On Monday night the Wayland Union School Board approved the hiring of Norman Taylor as the new superintendent. Taylor was the former superintendent of Northview Public Schools. He will start in his new position as soon as possible. Taylor is replacing previous superintendent Eivor Swan who ann
Former school chief is treated after plane crash
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:26:00 -0500
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 1:00am The plane piloted by Lloyd Freeman, former superintendent of Northport Public School, crashed Tuesday morning in Grand Traverse County’s Long Lake Township. According to police reports, Freeman had taken off from Cherry Capitol Airport in his 2-seat airplane when he began experiencing engine problems. Freeman, 74, was attempting to land the aircraft in a field
Wayland school board selects Taylor as superintendent
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:14:00 -0500
Herb Woerpel Follow Share this story Story tools Wayland Union Schools Board of Education members voted 4-3 to offer their vacant superintendent position to Norman Taylor pending successful contract negotiations. 0 0
Profile: Kent City Schools Superintendent Bill Smith
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:51:00 -0500
Enlarge Jon Brouwer | The Grand Rapids Press Bill Smith, left, the superintendent of Kent City Schools, meets with local residents, including Steve Johnson, middle, and Ramon Rexford, right, for coffee and conversation at the Red Rock Grille and Cafe Tuesday morning. (Jon M. Brouwer | The Grand Rapids Press) Profile: Bill Smith gallery (9 photos)
ANN ARBOR: School board sets schedule to hire new superintendent
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:38:00 -0500
The Ann Arbor Board of Education expects to have a search firm in place by the end of September as it moves toward having a new superintendent of schools on the job by July 1, 2011.With the resignation of current Superintendent of Schools Todd Roberts last month, the board has put together a request for proposals for assistance from a consultant to find a replacement.The board expects to select an
DeWitt board selects interim superintendent
Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:19:00 -0500
DeWITT - Former Holt Superintendent Tom Davis will run the DeWitt Public Schools while the district searches for a permanent superintendent. The Board of Education picked Davis as interim superintendent after interviewing him and one other finalist during a special meeting on Aug. 25. He'll take over for Superintendent Tina Templin, who retires this week after 11 years as an administr
Boyne Falls narrows superintendent search
Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:14:00 -0500
Two candidates are slated to be interviewed on Monday, Aug. 30, for the top administrative position at Boyne Falls Public Schools. Candidates selected for interviews are Karen Sherwood, current Boyne City Middle School principal and Todd Derenzy, K-12 principal at Central Lake Public Schools. Sherwood's interview will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Derenzy's interview will be from 6:45-7:45 p.m. at B
School districts must learn to work together
Let’s take a look at cooperative school districts. There are several lessons to be learned.LESSON 1: “Don’t repeat past mistakes:” Ask anybody who has been through a school district consolidation (many of which occurred in the 1950s), and you’re more than likely to get a negative response. Indeed, more than half a century after the fact, many districts are still
Trustees decide on how to proceed with superintendent search
Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:02:00 -0500
The trustees of Branch Intermediate School District (BISD) will hold a special meeting in the next two weeks to screen two consulting firms — one of which will be hired to help in the search to replace retiring Superintendent Michael Beckwith. Even though the job has not been officially posted, Quincy School Superintendent Joe Lopez informed board President John Schroll he wants the job.
South Redford district agrees to partnership
Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:38:00 -0500
The South Redford School District has agreed to partner with the Redford Union School District and the township for greater efficiency. The goal is to create a unified community with stronger schools, a more supportive government and a long-term commitment and plan for sustaining Redford's excellence, according to Brian Galdes, interim superintendent of South Redford schools. “Our school d
Robert Bobb preparing proposal to 'radically change' structure of Detroit schools via Lansing
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:02:00 -0500
Jonathan Oosting | MLive.com Follow Share this story Story tools AP File PhotoEmergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb 0 0 Share The Detroit City Council last month essentially ended local d
Galdes to lead South Redford schools
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:51:00 -0500
Barring a reversal of consensus, Brian Galdes will become the new superintendent of South Redford Schools. “I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve the district,” said Galdes Wednesday. “These are exciting times in education. We are going from a teaching model to a learning model. Everything is centered on how children learn and that is exciting.” The Sout
Webber brings charisma to new position
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:38:00 -0500
One of the most important roles of the assistant superintendent academic services is getting to know the needs of the students in the Novi Community School District. And judging by the background of R.J. Webber, the district's new hire, that should not be an issue. Webber, who comes to Novi after 12 years in South Lyon (including the last three as principal at South Lyon High School),
Testimony comes in case involving former coach
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:38:00 -0500
TUSCOLA COUNTY (WJRT) -- (08/25/10)--Dramatic testimony came in court Wednesday in the case of a former high school softball coach accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl. Police believe the relationship produced a baby. The details of what might have happened to that baby came out during testimony. Cory Fritz, 27, faces 20 counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. The a
Shelby receives 21 superintendent applications
Posted: 8-25-2010 Shelby receives 21 superintendent applications By Allison Scarbrough Herald-Journal Writer SHELBY ? Shelby Public Schools received 21 applications for its open superintendent position by the Aug. 20 deadline. ?The search process is going along very well,? said Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) representative John Hoeffler, the consultant directing the se
MEA's lawsuit at odds with interests of state taxpayers
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:26:00 -0500
The Michigan Education Association, the state's largest public school employee union, is suing to have the Michigan Legislature's recent revision of school employee retirement benefits declared unconstitutional. The suit should have little chance, given decades of court opinion and the failure of a similar MEA lawsuit in 2005. The union's unwillingness to recognize the weakness of its
Are Michigan's school administrators underpaid?
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:14:00 -0500
“There aren't too many corporate jobs available that have $20-$150 million operating budgets, $150-$750 million in capital assets, with regulations that can choke a horse, but yet pay $100 to $150K; everyone can do their jobs, but nobody wants the responsibility or headaches in this cutting environment! “Eliminating administration can save dollars, but usually has a price - the good
GISD board presents superintendent emeritus recognition to Svitkovich ahead of retirement
Khalil AlHajal | The Flint Journal Follow Share this story Story tools GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan — Thomas Svitkovich attended his last GISD Board of Education meeting as superintendent of the regional school district on Tuesday. Svitkovich is retiring after 13 years of leading the Genesee Intermediate School Distric
New state requirement makes schools post financial data online
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:54:00 -0500
GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan — Want to know how much your school district spent on lobbying last year? Or maybe how much the superintendent gets paid? The curious have a new wealth of information just a click away. A new state requirement is forcing all Michigan schools to put online detailed financial information — including six-figure
Editorial: Lawmakers should follow Granholm's lead to provide incentives for school consolidation
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:26:00 -0500
Michigan’s sales-tax dependent system for funding schools has helped relieve property taxes for citizens. But it carries a price. When the economy goes sour, so do school budgets. We’ve seen that in recent years. Districts have endured layoffs and cutbacks. In that environment, it’s irresponsible not to seek every possible savings in the name of sparing classroom cuts and benef
Michigan 10.0: Do all 43 public colleges need total autonomy? They say efficiency can be improved, but single system is no answer
University System of Ohio chancellor, Eric Fingerhut, left. Eric Fingerhut says his goal isn’t just to save Ohio money, it’s to save Ohio — by improving higher education. The University System of Ohio chancellor is directing 14 public universities and 23 community colleges as they move from autonomy to one system, which he say
Editorial: Keep the focus on children - please!
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:38:00 -0500
Kalamazoo Gazette Editorial Board Follow Share this story Story tools A live chat on MLive.com last week about the issue of school district consolidation was one of the best conversations we’ve seen recently on potential and meaningful reform in Michigan. To replay the chat online click here. It certainly clarifie
Michigan business executives call for universities to share services
Andy Hoag | The Saginaw News Follow Share this story Story tools EDITOR'S NOTE: Find out what university leaders on the west side of Michigan think. An influential group of Michigan executives — a group that includes Dow Chemical Co. Chief Financial Officer William H. Weideman and Dow Corning Corp. Executive J. Don
Covert school board picks SJ man as interim school chief
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:50:00 -0500
COVERT - A St. Joseph man has accepted the new combined job of superintendent and secondary principal at Covert Schools.Robert Sieko enters the scene after the sudden resignations earlier this week of the superintendent and elementary principal. He inherits a tiny district suffering a massive budget deficit of more than $2 million over the past year. And he will work with a school board that has g
Michigan Virtual Charter Academy Receives Final Approval from State to Open
Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:38:00 -0500
New public virtual charter school will serve students across Michigan this year GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Virtual Charter Academy (MVCA) announced today it received its school identification code from the Michigan Department of Education officially establishing it as an approved public school. MVCA will serve up to 400 students this year and pla
A new initiative: Curt Babcock, new North Muskegon Schools superintendent plans to get to know community first
Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:26:00 -0500
NORTH MUSKEGON -- Curt Babcock, principal of Whitehall High School and former community education director, has been selected as North Muskegon Public Schools' superintendent. "He's going to be a great fit in our community," said Mike Poulin, president of the North Muskegon school board. Babcock, former director of White Lake Community Education, was one of two finalists granted second intervie
5 things you should know about homeless students
Michigan — 1. To ensure that homeless children and teens in Michigan have access to an education, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was created as part of No Child Left Behind. The act requires all public school districts to have a homeless liaison who helps homeless students enroll, participate and have a successful education. 2. The liaison is require
Freeland, Carrollton to share school nutrition services director
Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:30:00 -0500
Freeland Superintendent Matt Cairy and Carrollton Superintendent Craig Douglas announced that the Freeland and Carrollton school districts will be consolidating the position of nutrition services director to save money. The agreement will begin this school year. Jackie Coffey, who is currently serving in the nutrition services director in Freeland will expand her job duties to include Carr
Local districts wait for word on money
Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:30:00 -0500
OTSEGO COUNTY — Local school districts will have to wait and see how and when the $318 million in federal funds designated for Michigan schools will be distributed.An Aug. 10 news release from the United States Department of Education announced Michigan would receive its piece of a $10 billion pie to retain an estimated 160,000 education jobs nationwide and 4,700 in Michigan.Since
Superintendent sounds off on state demands on schools, consolidation
Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:38:00 -0500
Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press Follow Share this story Story tools I received this interesting e-mail from New Buffalo Superintendent Mark Westerburg, and he raised some interesting points on a variety of school issues that have been discussed the last week. He said it would be OK if I shared his thoughts with H
Viewpoint: Reorganizing school districts would move education into a new era
Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:29:00 -0500
Maintaining Michigan’s school district structure as though nothing has changed, when everything has changed, is pure insanity — or Pure Michigan. Too much of our limited tax resources are invested in propping up the past rather than investing in our future. We are witnessing the beginnings of success for GM, Ford, Chrysler and other corporations after they accepted th
Schools Consider Consolidation
The reality for public schools in Michigan is grim. "There is very little new money coming from the state," says Stan Kogut, superintendent of Ingham Intermediate School District. "Any new money districts get is what they can find in their own budgets."
Granholm calls for financial incentive for school districts to consolidate, share services
Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:26:00 -0500
Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press Follow Share this story Story tools AP File PhotoMike Flanagan 24 0 Share Michigan schools soon could compete for a slice of a $50 million incentive
Gov offers new plan to balance budget
Lansing -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm unveiled a proposed state budget Wednesday with no tax increases and no layoffs, but plenty of belt-tightening. The plan, outlined for House and Senate leaders, would erase the red ink remaining in this year's budget and the projected deficit in next year's through cuts, government reforms and the use of one-time funds. The governor summed up the proposal as "
Thornapple Kellogg schools experiment with fewer administrators to save money
Julie Makarewicz | The Grand Rapids Pres... Follow Share this story Story tools MIDDLEVILLE -- Retirees, teacher leaders and shared job responsibilities are all part of a cost-saving pilot program this year in the Thornapple Kellogg school district. "This is intended to be transitional -- maybe for a year to two," sai
Northville superintendent announces his retirement
Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:06:00 -0500
“It’s going to be a big year,” said Joan Wadsworth, vice-president of the Northville Public School Board. In addition to the recent retirements of Dave Bolitho and John Street-two upper level cabinet members whose jobs were combined into one position to save money-the district learned last week that they would have another high-profile retirement to plan for. Schools Superintendent
Grant-Ball finalist for Wayland superintendency
By Dan Cherry Daily Telegram Posted Aug 18, 2010 @ 04:15 PM ADDISON, Mich. — After first-round interviews last week, the superintendent of Addison Community Schools was chosen to be one of two finalists for a superintendent position in Allegan County. Eileen Grant-
Raleigh, N.C.'s secret to great schools: Consolidation, busing and putting poor children in middle-class schools
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:54:00 -0500
Bryan Rierson | Special to The Grand Rapids PressStudents check their lockers at Holly Grove Middle School, a Wake County school outside Raleigh, N.C. Raleigh and Wake County schools merged in 1976 by act of the Legislature. Q: Which big city in America has no bad schools, according to a new book? A: Raleigh, N.C. Q: Which popular reform m
Dave Murray: What would school district mergers look like? Check out some mashups
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:38:00 -0500
Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press Follow Share this story Story tools North Park Elementary School 16 0 Share Now that Wyoming and Godwin Heights share one superintendent, could the tr
Manistique district hires new superintendent
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:03:00 -0500
By Ashley Hoholik POSTED: August 17, 2010 Save | Print | Email MANISTIQUE - Kathy McDonough will serve as the new superintendent of the Manistique Area Schools District. The official announcement came Monday night during the regular meeting of the Manistique School Board. The district had been without leadership since July 1, when former
Marysville's Silveri to be offered job
Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:38:00 -0500
Pending contract negotiations, Marysville Superintendent John Silveri will take the top job at Oakland County's Waterford School District. Waterford's school board voted 5-1 to enter into negotiations with Silveri, officials there said. The vote came after two interviews with Silveri and another candidate Monday night, each of which lasted more than an hour. Scott Hudson, a board mem
RESA taps into future of energy
In a little more than four days, a wind turbine and solar panels near Port Huron's Vantage Point have produced 103 kilowatt hours of electricity. That is enough to power an average house for 3.5 days or operate a 13-watt energy-efficient light bulb for 7,923 hours. It also is enough to offset 151 miles worth of carbon dioxide produced by an average American car. "That's pretty impress
Muskegon Superintendent Colin Armstrong says taxpayers, students benefit when schools join forces
Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:26:00 -0500
Lynn Moore | The Muskegon Chronicle Follow Share this story Story tools Chronicle file photoMuskegon Public Schools Superintendent Colin Armstrong, who helped I'Laya Blake with a classroom assignment in 2006, believes countywide school consolidation would provide more opportunities for students.
Two school districts share one superintendent: Is it working, and can it work elsewhere?
WYOMING — Jon Felske’s office in Godwin Heights is decorated with student artwork showing a wolverine, a hawk and a Viking — one mascot for each of the three high schools operated by the two districts he oversees. It’s a fitting symbol for the multi-headed beast his job has become, and it raises the question: If push came to shove, which of the three might not survive?
School board hires four positions: Hiring process for superintendent’s son questioned
Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:54:00 -0500
IONIA, Mich. - The Ionia Public School Board of Education held a meeting Monday to approve the hiring of four new positions. Associate Superintendent Ben Kirby introduced the new position holders within Ionia Public Schools. Whitney Truax, a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, was approved to be the new middle school eighth grade math teacher. Truax formerly held a substitu
Dept. of Education Releases School Rankings
Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:42:00 -0500
It's a part of the race to the top push for education. A "Top to Bottom" ranking of every school in the state. Michigan Department of Education Superintendent Mike Flanagan says, "This is about targeting the schools that are not performing, not the districts."
Search for any school's state rankings
Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:54:00 -0500
Nearly 100 Michigan public schools were identified by state law as the "persistently lowest achieving schools" on Monday and will be required to develop plans approved by the newly-formed State School Reform/Redesign Office in the Michigan Department of Education, or risk being placed in a statewide school reform district. Below is a database to search how your school fared. To use, start by cl
Efficiencies of a countywide school district in Florida: one superintendent to Kent County's 20
Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:50:00 -0500
Save for the balmy temperatures in February and the lack of a big red Calder, Lee County on Florida’s Gulf Coast has strong similarities to Kent County, where Grand Rapids is the main city. The home to Fort Myers has a few more residents and about 17,000 fewer students — and spends about $160 million less on its schools. 0
Peter Luke: Lansing could offer incentives for school districts to merge or share services
Whither the Watersmeet Nimrods? Out with the Onekema Portagers? Suggest school consolidation and the alarm bells ring: Loss of local control, loss of community identity, signified by a roadside salute to that 1983 state high school baseball championship. Loss of the possibility that generations of the same family will walk the same leafy campus. You can be true to your school — assuming
A lesson in sharing: Muskegon-area educators, parents weigh pros, cons of school consolidation
Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:26:00 -0500
That's what Muskegon County could save -- $10.3 million -- if all 12 school districts became one, according to a study by Michigan State University's Education Policy Center that was commissioned by The Chronicle and the Booth Newspapers chain. It's enough money to make skeptics stop and think. "That's a lot of money," said Terry Babbitt, superintendent of Mona Shores Public Schools. It's al
Today's Top 3: Michigan could save millions by consolidating schools, according to study
The Grand Rapids Press Follow Share this story Story tools Katy Batdorff | The Grand Rapids PressSchool consolidation can mean more than merging services like bus transportation. 0 0 Share
Read the MSU study on the costs/benefits of school consolidation
As we considered how best to explain and explore the important and controversial topic of K-12 public school consolidation, we wanted to give Press readers more than the typical pro-con approach from the usual sources. Because the issue is not new, we sought to put something that is actually new on the table as the centerpiece of our eighth installment of the Michigan 10.0 series.
West Michigan: How many administrators in your district make $100,000?
The Grand Rapids Press Follow Share this story Story tools New state rules on transparency require public school districts to disclose and post on their websites the number of employees making $100,000 or more. As part of our Michigan 10.0 series, we're providing the numbers newly reported by individual districts and
School consolidation: The most difficult animal to kill is a school mascot
In Rockford, Ram pride runs deep. People strolling through town will soon encounter 4-foot-tall Ram statues proclaiming school loyalty. Ram’s head stickers peer from countless car windows. Several downtown stores sell “Ramware,” the orange-and-black attire of choice for the 13,000 people who pack the football stadium on fall Fridays. But would families still be as loyal to th
Why are charter schools not part of the consolidation debate?
GRAND RAPIDS — Each of the state’s more than 200 charter schools is smaller than the smallest Kent County school district. But while the 1,650-student Godfrey Lee or 1,400-student Kent City districts get mentioned as consolidation candidates, no one in state leadership is calling for eliminating charters. 24
Collaboration, not consolidation: Bay County school chiefs agree that sharing services is best for future
Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:02:00 -0500
More on school consolidation * ROUNDTABLE: A multimedia interview with Bay County school superintendents on the realities of consolidation * Michigan's system of 550 public school districts could save millions with consolidations, but what do we lose? * Why are charter schools not part of the consolidation debate? * School consolidation: The most difficult animal to kill is a scho
