The search for a new superintendent of Goodrich Schools has narrowed to two candidates.
During the March 23 school board meeting, Leonard Johnson of the Michigan Association of School Boards, which has screened potential candidates, told boardmembers that two ‘successful, good quality? candidates are left after three candidates withdrew.
The candidates are John Fazer, superintendent of Holton Public Schools, and Mark Kleinhans, superintent dent of Montrose Community Schools. The candidates will be interviewed in meetings open to the public, beginning at 9 a.m., April 4, in the community room at Goodrich High School, 8029 S. Gale Road.
‘I like these candidates,? said Acting Superintendent Larry Allen. ‘They fit the profile as established by the board… We sought them and because of our reputation, we attracted very good candidates. These are top-notch individuals. Any school with a vacancy would love to have them.?
Fazer has been superintendent at Holton Public Schools, which has an enrollment of 1,100 students, since July 2005. Prior to that, he was superintendent at Mason County Eastern Schools in Custer, Mich.. He was a principal in the Fremont Public Schools for nearly 20 years. Fazer has a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in secondary administration and a bachelor’s degree from Carthage College. He has been enrolled in a 50-hour specialist program majoring in educational leadership since 1985.
Kleinhans has led Montrose Community Schools, which has a current student population of 1,600, since March 2002. Prior to becoming superintendent, he served as a principal at Montrose for nearly nine years and was an athletic director and assistant principal in Alma Public Schools in the early 90s. He has a master’s degree in secondary administration from Central Michigan University and also earned his bachelor’s degree in education from CMU. In 2005, he completed a school improvement specialist program through the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
‘In my cursory review, I find their background to be solid,? said School Board President Michael Tripp. ‘I look forward to talking to them and gaining a perspective if they would fit with the culture and dynamics of the district.?
Tripp said that while the search is targeting these two candidates, anyone else interested in the superintendent position should contact the school board and the search will be expanded if these particular two candidates are not a good fit.
Allen was formally hired as the Goodrich superintendent in December 2007, after former Superintendent Kim Hart was put on administrative leave in July 2007. Allen’s contract ends June 30 and he says it’s time to retire.