By K.D. Norris
After reviewing 14 applications for its Superintendent of Schools position, the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Board of Education is moving forward this week with its selection process by scheduling interviews with three West Michigan educators.
The interviews will be held Tuesday, Nov. 9, and Wednesday, Nov. 10, with the interviews open to the public and the public “encouraged to attend.” Interviews will be held at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, 961 Joosten St. SW, Wyoming.
The interview schedule for Nov. 9 will have Dr. Michael Burde, current Deputy Superintendent at Kenowa Hills Public Schools, scheduled for 6:45 p.m.; and Brevet Bartels, current Middle School Principal at West Ottawa Public Schools, scheduled for 8 p.m.
On Nov. 10, at 6:45 p.m., Ana Aleman-Putman, current Principal at Grandville East Elementary School, is scheduled to be interviewed.
“We were pleased with the applicant pool and interest demonstrated in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, especially with the large number of superintendents retiring in Michigan over the last two years and all the difficulty facing school districts during the pandemic,” Board President Eric Mockerman said in supplied material. “We believe these quality candidates may meet our needs and expectations.
“We look forward to finding out more about the candidates’ leadership abilities and what each candidate has to offer our students, staff, and community. The Board continues to appreciate the input from the public and encourages people to attend the interviews.”
According to a statement from the district, 19 educators responded to the posting with preliminary applications for the position. Five candidates eventually withdrew or did not complete the application fully. Applicants consisted of current superintendents, central office administrators, principals, intermediate school district employees, and a teacher. The position attracted interest from California, Illinois, Michigan, and Canada.
The superintendent search became necessary as Kevin Polston accepted the position of Kentwood Public Schools superintendent after serving the district for four years. Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer has served the Godfrey-Lee Schools for the last several months. The process has been facilitated by the Michigan Leadership Institute.
“It is our hope to have a new superintendent in place by January 3 (2022), realizing we may have to be somewhat flexible regarding that date,” Mockerman said.
A district description made as part of the initial search process states that total enrollment is about 1,761 students with Hispanic/Latino students at about 1,398 of that total. Staff includes 123 instructional staff, 61 support staff and 13 administrators. Its most recent budget expenditures were $27,605,217.
Also, district voters approved a Godfrey-Lee Public Schools bond request in 2020 to fund a wide-ranging building, reconstruction and technology effort. The project went out to bid in October with construction slated to begin in late winter/early spring of 2022. The current construction/renovation timeline calls for all projects to be completed by early 2024.
For more information visit godfrey-lee.org.
