Ypsi Schools look at new superintendent process

By Jim Cavanaugh
Jan. 27, 2009    ·    2:18 a.m.

The Ypsilanti Board of Education took another step closer to hiring a new superintendent at its meeting Monday night.

Dr. Michael Emlaw, a search consultant with the Michigan Association of School Boards, presented the board with a tentative hiring schedule for the next superintendent. He said the position will be advertised online next month, and word will be spread among various educational foundations that Ypsilanti is looking to fill the post.

According to Emlaw, people who prepare superintendents, like professors and other administrators, will also be made aware of the opening.

“People who are looking for superintendent jobs know where to look,” Emlaw said.

In addition to receiving the hiring schedule, the board also put together some basic information to begin the search, based on educational background, experience, contract length and compensation.

After some discussion, the board decided on language that would require candidates have a master’s degree, but a doctorate was preferred.

Board members did appear split regarding what type of experience they’d like the next potential superintendent to have. Some preferred a candidate have teaching experience, while others were more concerned about administrative experience.

Trustee Floyd Brumfield said he’d like to see like to see a superintendent “come in with some experience running a diverse district.”

Trustee Kira Berman said, “I think it’s very important to have someone who’s not only an outstanding administrator, but someone who has teaching experience.”

“I don’t want to draw this so tight that we exclude people that don’t have experience in education,” Trustee Andrew Fanta said. “I want to bring in a woman or a man that has successful leadership skills.”

The board eventually agreed to a compromise that allowed both viewpoints to be considered.

As for salary and contract length, the board agreed to language stating it anticipates paying $140,000 per year for a three-year initial contract.

“I think you need [a three-year contract] to attract candidates to the position,” Emlaw said. “That’s very typical for an initial contract”

A salary range of $125,000 to $145,000 was proposed, but current superintendent Dr. James Hawkins told the board that such a range might discourage well-qualified candidates from applying for the position.

“This is not a place for on-the-job training,” Hawkins said.

Next month, the board will conduct meetings to allow those in the Ypsilanti community to voice their opinion in the selection of the next superintendent.

“The ultimate goal here is to have a superintendent who is well supported not only by the board of education, but also by the community,” Emlaw said. “When you’ve selected a superintendent we want everyone in the community to feel they’ve had a hand in it, if they’ve wanted it.”

The new superintendent will replace Hawkins, who has been filling in as interim superintendent since 2005, following the departure of David Zuhlke.