Monroe Public Schools superintendent search tabled until 2023
Monroe Public Schools has decided to delay its search for a new, permanent superintendent until next year.
In a statement released on Sept. 28, MPS announced that it will wait until Feb. 2023 to resume its search for a new district leader. The decision was made during the school board’s Sept. 27 work session meeting. Jeremy Chisolm, an attorney at Collins and Blaha, John Silveri, Regional President of the Michigan Leadership Institute, and Melissa Baker, Executive Director of the Metro Bureau, advised and consulted with the board before the decision.
MPS had previously begun a search to replace Dr. Julie Everly after she announced her retirement from the district in May this year. Everly’s departure was due to her decision to accept the position as Human Resources Director with the City of Monroe in August.
The MPS board hired Silveri and Baker to create a job description, gather community input, and conduct interviews. However, in late July, the board instead extended an offer to Everly in hopes to retain her, which she declined. Following the move, board member Heather Boone announced her resignation.
For the interim, MPS unanimously appointed Andrew Shaw to lead the district. Shaw had recently retired after serving 12 years as the superintendent for Mason Consolidated Schools (2015-2020) and Pittsford Schools (2007-2014).
MPS board Vice President Larry Zimmerman said that the board is happy with Shaw as its interim leader, and that his experience and relationship-building skills have been an asset to the district and community.
“We have had a smooth start to the school year,” Zimmerman said. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the leadership transition between Dr. Everly and Mr. Shaw, and we know Monroe Public Schools is in good hands.”
Among the reasons that Chisolm advised the board to wait was waiting until the first semester is complete may result in more serious applicants for the role. Chisolm added that the board may also decide to ask Shaw to extend his contract at that time as well.
Silveri and Baker agreed with the recommendation to wait.
“People have had a very positive start to the year,” Baker said. “It would be very difficult for a superintendent to want to leave their district at this time.”
Silveri explained that it might also be helpful to wait until after the November election this year.
“Quite often, the question we get from candidates is ‘What is happening with the board?’” Silveri said. “How many board members are up for re-election, and what is the prospect of the board changing?’ There will be some certainty if you’re looking in January-February, regarding who is on the board and what those terms are.”
The consultants also said that other variables could also result in more candidates during the next search, explaining that new legislation might bring experienced superintendents out of retirement.
“The law has changed,” Chisholm said. “Previously, retired educators who wanted to work in Michigan schools were limited to critical shortage areas and were subject to earning restrictions relative to their pensions. Public Act 184 of 2022 went into effect on July 25th and removed these limitations.”
“The law is now essentially that you have to be retired for nine months and then you can come back,” Chisolm added.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe superintendent search tabled until 2023
