By David Fleet
Editor
On Tuesday night the Bentley Board of Education selected a long time Brandon School District administrator as superintendent.
Bentley School Board members voted 5-2 to approve Kristy Spann to take over as superintendent once a contract is approved. The job listing deadline was July 10.
Charles Andrews, regional vice president for the Michigan Leadership Institute conducted the superintendent search for Bentley.
“A total of 18 candidates applied for the job including acting Bentley Schools Superintendent Christine Brockman who filled the role after (Superintendent) Chris Arrington stepped down,” said Andrews.
Bentley School Board President Elaine Beckelic and Vice President Angela Jackson made phone calls to the Brandon district to seek references rather then a physical sight visit, said Andrews.
“She (Spann) had a great number of references from Brandon people including parents, administrators and co workers.”
Spann has been with the Brandon School District since 1995.
“I am so incredibly thankful to the Brandon School District community for the numerous opportunities I have had to serve students, their families and staff over the years,” said Spann following the decision on Tuesday night. “I spent 12 years teaching at the elementary level in two different buildings, in traditional, multi-age and looping classrooms and in traditional and year-round calendars. The students I taught and their families continue to reach out to me. I enjoyed being a principal for seven years both at H. T. Burt and opening the then new Oakwood Elementary; and I’m thankful to have spent the last four years serving as the Executive Director of Education Services.”
She was the first principal at the (then) new Oakwood Elementary School from 2009-14.
Spann was the current Executive Director of Educational Services for Brandon. Prior to her stint at Oakwood she served as Principal at H. T. Burt Elementary School, 2007-09; Teacher second – fourth grades, 1995-07; Brandon Education Association, 2001-07; BEA President, 2005-07; Vice President / Grievance Chairperson; Political Action Committee Chairperson; Member of Brandon Education Association College Scholarship Committee and Building Representative.
“I was blessed to work with wonderful people, especially: teachers, secretaries, custodians, food services, bus drivers, maintenance personnel, parapros, media specialists, many support staff, parents, administrators, superintendents, and of course, all the board members through the years,” she said. “I have learned from all—bar none. It hasn’t been all rosy; there have been disagreements and contradictory viewpoints, of course. But so often those resulted in better processes and approaches. And consistently we have shared the same goal: supporting our youth.”

She earned degrees from Eastern Michigan University, (magna cum laude and with honors special Education, visually impaired); Marygrove College, Detroit and currently attending classes at Oakland University for a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Leadership.
“Parents, students and staff have continued to share with me—unsolicited even through this year—their thankfulness for my help and insights over the years,” she said. “I have also been very fortunate to have worked with community members at the library, the fire and police departments, the credit union, local businesses, Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance, Oakland Schools, Oakland University, and Michigan Department of Education in my capacity as an educator for Brandon Schools—all dedicated to supporting our youth’s journey to adulthood.”