At a special meeting May 15, the Brandon School Board voted 6-0, (absent Board President Greg Allar) to name Lorrie McMahon as interim superintendent. McMahon will officially assume the duties on July 4 and continue until a new superintendent is selected. She will also maintain her role as the District’s Executive Director of Curriculum.
The decision follows the retirement of District Superintendent Tom Miller who accepted a position as a high school principal for ‘at-risk? students in Arizona. His job ends July 3; however due to vacation days, his last day at work will be June 25.
‘It’s a fantastic opportunity,? said McMahon.
‘The current administration team is outstanding, and with their help will move the district ahead in the right direction.?
McMahon, 59, started in the district last July after serving as curriculum director in the Ionia School District, with an enrollment of about 3,100 students, for about nine years. Prior to that, she taught math and science at Lake City High School for 10 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Saginaw Valley State University and a Master’s in Teaching and Curriculum Learning from Michigan State University.
Over the next year school year the district will contend with a host of building projects’part of a $73 million bond extension approved by voters in 2006. The district will also be converting from semesters to trimesters in the fall.
However, the first major hurdle for McMahon and the board will be dealing with a budget deficit of $2.3 million.
‘I’m confident the school board will make the tough decisions necessary to keep our budget in line,? said McMahon. ‘We’ll do all we can to protect the programs for students? learning.?
McMahon was uncertain if she’d apply for the superintendent position, however, once the Michigan Leadership Institute has established a superintendent profile reflective of the community she’ll take another look at the position.
‘I’ll look at what the community wants before applying.?