School Board prepares search profile for new superintendent

The Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education met Monday in a work/study session with Dr. Rodney Green of the Michigan Association of School Boards to put the final touches on the documents going out to invite professionals to apply for the job of school superintendent.
The former superintendent, Michael Van Tassel was fired in February after the community united behind the five, highly regarded teachers at Savage Elementary School that he had taken off the job in December as their students watched.
He claimed they had done something wrong in giving the new M-STEP state test last May. Their scores were too good, he thought, and he reported this to the state. A flurry of charges of cheating went out in television and newspaper stories throughout Southeastern Michigan and the Midwest.
Dr. Green said there are 12 applicants for the superintendent’s position so far and he has talked to several others who might be interested. Deadline for applications is May 10.
At Monday’s meeting, Dr. Green reported that 286 people took the online survey on what they would like to see in a new superintendent. He provided a packet of information on what people wanted on that survey and responses from people during his April 11 Stakeholder Input sessions.
“You are not different from other districts,” Dr. Green said, referring to having a problem. “But, everyone would like to see it resolved.”
A long list of qualities people would like to see in the new superintendent were discussed, including being a part of the community.
“That’s why we got the problem. He didn’t respond to the community,” said Trustee Sherry Frazier, referring to Van Tassel. “We need to have the community as partners.”
The school board also went through Van Tassel’s old contract.
“The evaluation portion has to be updated so that the superintendent will be evaluated in a more data-driven way, as suggested by the MASB,” Dr. Green said.
He also suggested the removal of the early notice of termination bonus and suggested a 90-day notice. Dr. Green also suggested some changes in the termination language. He said the employment dispute language is more convoluted than he usually sees, but if the board wants it, he will keep it.
About two dozen people were in the audience at the Belleville High School Commons for the work/study session and more than 167 were watching the proceedings by Periscope, provided by a member of the audience.