Browning poised to be next Shelby City Schools superintendent

SHELBY — Shelby City Schools has its new superintendent.

The board of education made an offer to Michael Browning, high school principal for London City Schools, on Tuesday, and he accepted, according to board President Lorie White.

Members canceled a meeting scheduled for Wednesday in executive session. They are expected to approve Browning at the April 24 meeting.

"He's going to be a great leader," White said. "He has a real passion for educating kids. It's very evident that is at the forefront of everything he does. Michael is also real appreciative of his staff, which really stood out as well. He was a real standout. He's got a lot of enthusiasm, which is infectious."

Browning will replace Tim Tarvin, who has been in the superintendent role for the past 12 years and has been at Shelby for three decades. He announced earlier this year he will retire at the end of July.

New superintendent has been high school principal past five years

Browning, 49, has been at London City Schools for seven years, the past five as high school principal.

He made his case to the board in his cover letter.

"I have been involved with education since 2001, starting as a substitute teacher before becoming an intervention specialist on an emergency certification for a fourth-grade class in 2004," he wrote. "After that year, I began teaching high school social studies for five years before moving to middle school, where I taught eighth-grade history for 6½ years.

"It was then I began my administrative career at London City Schools, first as an assistant principal for 2½ years, before being elevated to the principalship for the past five years. What I have brought to all of the buildings and both school districts (Hamilton and London) is a passion for students and watching them succeed."

Browning spoke to the News Journal by phone Wednesday.

"I'm very excited about coming to Shelby," he said. "The more research I did, it was a really easy decision. It's similar to where I'm coming from as far as community and school size. Shelby is not a small school; it's not a big school."

London City Schools is in the central part of the state, near Springfield.

Browning is coming into an ideal situation. Shelby is still showing off its new pre-K-8 building, along with Whippet Athletic Complex. With a still sparkling high school that opened in 2013, the students are on one campus.

Shelby also is in very good shape financially.

"That has to be appealing to anyone," Browning said.

Brown will be first-time superintendent

This will be Browning's first time as a superintendent.

"It's terrifying," he said. "I've never been in that seat. I'm sure there will be a couple of bumps in the road, but I think it's going to be a really good thing for my family and, hopefully, for Shelby."

White said the board had no trepidation about hiring someone without superintendent's experience.

"We have a great foundation in Shelby. This job would be ideal for anyone," the board president said. "He doesn't have superintendent's experience, but because we have such an experienced staff, he'll blend right in.

"I think they'll hit the ground running. That's just an ideal situation for anyone who's a brand new superintendent."

One of the experienced staff members is Paul Walker, who has been Shelby's assistant superintendent for 10 years. Walker also was a candidate to replace Tarvin.

"I'm looking forward to meeting Michael and working alongside him and doing great things together for Shelby City Schools," Walker told the News Journal. "I love the role I am in."

Browning will be coming to Shelby with his wife, Lauren, and daughter, Harper, who will be a kindergartener this fall. He has driven through Shelby and said he and his family will spend a lot of time at Marvin Memorial Library.

"It's got the small-town feel to it," Browning said of Shelby. "It was a great fit, and I'm thrilled the board feels the same."

He said he wants to continue on the work of Tarvin.

White added, "The hard work has been done. Now, it's the fun part."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Shelby City Schools makes offer to new superintendent