Addison schools to introduce interim superintendent at special school board meeting Monday

ADDISON — Addison Community Schools will announce who its interim superintendent will be when the Addison Board of Education convenes during a special meeting scheduled for Monday, July 31.

Addison schools, which conducted a superintendent search in the late winter and early spring of 2022, is gearing up for another round of searching and candidate interviews after Daniel Patterson, who had been Addison schools’ superintendent for one year, announced earlier this month he would resign.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the secondary media center.

Patterson, an educator for 24 years, was hired by the district in March 2022 and began as superintendent July 1, 2022. His last date with the district will be Monday, July 31.

According to school board President Andrea Woodring, Patterson referenced his professional success and moving on to other opportunities in his resignation letter.

Prior to joining Addison, he was the director of the department of assessment, research and evaluation for Dearborn Public Schools. He succeeded Steve Guerra, who retired June 30, 2022, after 13 years with the district — 11 of those as superintendent.

Previous Coverage: Addison Community Schools superintendent announces resignation, effective July 31

Assisting the school board with its superintendent search is the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and consultant Rodney Green, who worked with Addison when Patterson was chosen as superintendent.

A survey is being administered through the MASB for the purpose of soliciting community and school staff feedback on the profile of the ideal superintendent candidate. Residents, staff and school administration are invited to participate in the process, the district said.

The online survey can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/r/addisonsearch.

“Survey responses are sent directly to MASB in Lansing for tabulation,” a communication from Addison schools said. “The input received will help develop a candidate profile, which will guide the process as candidates are recruited and selected for public interview. The board expects to select the new superintendent to begin fall 2023.”

Because of the 2023-24 school year being so close to starting, the district is having an interim superintendent put in place while the new school year begins and so the superintendent search process can develop candidates for the full-time role.

The application for the superintendent position has been posted by MASB and can be viewed at tinyurl.com/AddisonSuptApp23. The application closes Aug. 31, and the board is expected to review applications Sept. 11. The first round of interviews are anticipated to be Sept. 16 with the second round scheduled for Sept. 18, at which time the school board could select its next superintendent.

An approximate start date for the new superintendent, according to the MASB’s search timeline, is Oct. 1 or a potential “to be determined” date.

Questions and further information about the superintendent search process is available from Green at rodgreen11@gmail.com or by calling 810-852-1189.

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news, and high school and college sports content.

Julie Helber is currently Addison’s interim superintendent, though she has not yet been publicly introduced. Her first communication with district families was July 25 when she announced the death of high school student Chad Miller.

In a follow-up announcement Thursday, Helber said Miller was a “cherished member of this close-knot community and touched the lives of many during his time with us."

More: Counseling offered after Addison High School student dies

Funeral services begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, with doors opening early at the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison, 504 W. Main St. Burial will take place at a later date.

Addison schools are continuing to have mental health professionals on site to support students and families as needed. District offices can be contacted at 517-547-6901.

The board’s special meeting also will take action on recommendations for the current school board vacancy.

Trustee Lisa Houghton submitted her letter of resignation on July 15, citing family reasons.

The district posted the school board opening and kept the application window open through Wednesday.

The newly appointed board member will finish the remaining term of Houghton’s vacated seat, which is to expire Dec. 31, 2024.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Addison schools to introduce interim superintendent July 31