Gaylord board selects Clinton schools chief as next superintendent
GAYLORD — The board of education for Gaylord Community Schools voted unanimously to offer the superintendent position to Jim Cracraft, currently superintendent of the Clinton Community Schools in Lenawee County.
"He cares about and wants every kid to succeed," said board president Jeff Wieber. "He just came across better. I think he will do fine (in connecting with the community)."
The board selected Cracraft over Steve Patchin, superintendent of the Hancock Public Schools in the Upper Peninsula. Both interviewed for the second time on Tuesday. Cracraft will enter into negotiations with the board on a contract.
Brian Pearson, the present superintendent, is retiring after 32 years with the district.
"I am very excited for this opportunity and appreciative of the board and their support," said Cracraft.
Cracraft said parents, teachers, students and the community need to know that he has been in public education for 34 years.
"I am student focused in my decision making and committed to supporting kids and families. They need to know that I enjoy Northern Michigan, music, walking my golden retrievers, and spending time with my family," he added.
More: Pearson will wrap up a 32-year career with Gaylord schools in June
He will take over a school district that has about 2,800 students and had a budget of $36 million for the 2021-22 school year.
On May 24, an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. In the wake of that incident, school security has taken on added significance across the nation.
"In my 90-day plan I will almost immediately be meeting with school officials and local law enforcement to review security plans already in place and also meeting with my office leadership team to review everything," said Cracraft.
Cracraft, 57, started his education career as a teacher and counselor at Starr Commonwealth in Albion. Starr was founded in 1913 as a home for runaway boys and has evolved to provide community-based programs, education and behavioral health services for children.
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He then moved on to the Northville school district in suburban Detroit starting out as a teacher before eventually becoming the principal of a middle school. He has served as superintendent of the Clinton schools for the past six years.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord school board selects Jim Cracraft as superintendent
