Almont narrows Supt. list to two candidates

Decision expected at meeting this week

 

 

ALMONT — The Almost School Board has most likely had their fill of meetings, including three nights in a row last week. They held a regular meeting May 18 prior to two nights of interviewing five finalists for the district’s new superintendent.

With the help of the Michigan Association of School Boards and Scott Morrell, the board sifted through in-person interviews, asking identical questions to all five candidates.

Board President, Janaea Smith said the board has taken their responsibility of finding a new superintendent seriously and members have put in a great deal of time vetting the candidates.

Last Wednesday evening, on the final night of interviews, the board interviewed Kyle Wood, Ass’t. Supt. of Croswell-Lexington Schools and Jordan Ackerman, current Supt. in the Reese School District in Tuscola County.

The board later discussed candidates and chose their top two finalists from the field of five. Every board member selected Wood while six of the seven members chose Ackerman.

Wood is a Cros-Lex grad who has worked as a building principal at Marlette and Cros-Lex along with four years as an Ass’t. Supt.

“This district, I feel, is an ideal size for me,” Wood told the board. “Your strategic plans align with my core values. If I were chosen, I would assimilate into the role and not want to disrupt what you have going.”

Wood said he has been in education for 20 years and feels he has another 10 years left, at least.

“I see this opportunity as my last stop,” Wood said. “I see myself as being here until I am done. My last stop, so to speak.”

Wood said he has experience in working with others on the Cros-Lex 23 million dollar budget and has been responsible to oversee grant writing for the district.

The candidate told the board he felt relationships are built on trust, learning and listening and it is important to make rational decisions.

“I have a 90-day plan that includes getting to meet and know staff and to support them in every way possible to help them be successful,” Wood said.

He concluded his time with the board by saying, “I am very impressed with what you have going here. I feel I would be a good fit for you and would fit in well.”

Ackerman concluded the interviewing of candidates, sharing with the board his experience while at Reese and prior to that, working in the Armada and Oxford school districts.

“You have a strong district here,” he shared with the board. “Your success is a direct reflection of Almont and the district. Students are the center of attention and you have a great staff.”

Ackerman, who lives in nearby Armada, said if selected, he intends, “to make this a long term investment of time of at least 10 years or beyond.”

Ackerman said he feels it is important to, “support staff and give them what they need to be successful in the classroom. We have to do better for our teachers.”

He went on to add, “really, it’s all about the kids and what we all can do to make them successful. It is important to be aligned with staff. It is imperative to communicate and be transparent. I lead with integrity and honesty.”

When asked what concerns him about the district, Ackerman stated, “the staffing levels, based on student count, is a little higher here. That’s something, from a budgeting standpoint, we’d have to keep an eye on. Plus, the district is losing a lot of students to other neighboring districts. We need to do a good job of marketing our district and why students should choose to be at Almont.”

As to what it would take for him to settle in as supt., if selected, Ackerman replied, “There would be no transition. I am ready to go. It would be a seamless move for the district. I am the only one of the five candidates who is currently serving as a Supt.”

The board planned to meet with both candidates in the district Tuesday, May 26, giving them an opportunity to see the district buildings and meet staff.

After a meet and greet time with the public, the board was to meet in special session once again and decide which candidate might be offered the position, pending successful negotiations of a contract.

The board has said base salary for their next Supt. would be between $135,000 and $150,000, plus benefits.