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Ypsilanti Public Schools unanimously selected the Michigan Association of School Boards last night to help find its new superintendent
Michael Emlaw, a consultant for MASB, will serve as the point man for the district at a $7,500 cost. The Michigan Leadership Institute was the board’s second pick, and made a $9,000 bid.
The product of the district’s search will replace current superintendent, Dr. James Hawkins. After two contract extensions, Hawkins was hired by the district in 2005 on an interim basis to replace David Zuhlke when he stepped down from his post.
Hawkins came out of retirement to fill the vacancy. He had previously served as superintendent for the district from 1984 to 1990. His contract is set to expire in June, and he currently earns approximately $170,000 a year.
“We want to begin the process of getting the word out that Ypsilanti is looking for a superintendant,” Emlaw said to the board during the meeting, before the MASB was selected.
Emlaw, who was the MASB consultant chosen by Lincoln Consolidated School, which selected Lynn Cleary as its superintendent this past summer, laid out a rough chain of events that will lead to Ypsilanti Schools selecting its new superintendent.
The first step, Emlaw told the board, was choosing a timeline. He said the MASB would then start listing the position on the Internet. While applications are collected, Emlaw said search criteria would be gathered from the board, district staff, the community and students. The board will then narrow those criteria to create a profile to narrow and evaluate candidates.
Kira Berman, a board trustee, said she liked that MASB would be making a point to get information from the community.
“I feel that is an important part of the process,” Berman said.
Board President David Bates agreed with Berman.
“I certainly want community input,” he said.
Trustee Andy Fanta said the MASB would be laying the ground work for the search, and collecting information from interested parties, but pointed out the board would be ultimately responsible for selecting the new superintendent.
“We have to come up with the questions,” Fanta said. “We have to come up with a profile for the superintendent.”