Brandon Twp.- The school board approved at their April 21 meeting a 3-year superintendent contract for Dr. Matthew Outlaw.
While the board was unanimous in their selection last month of Outlaw as the new superintendent, they were split on his contract. Treasurer Kevin McClellan, Secretary Chris Yuchasz and Trustees Debbie Brady and John Chartier voted yes, while President Greg Allar, Vice-President Diane Salter and Trustee Lisa Kavalhuna voted no.
Salter declined to comment on why she voted no, but said she was ‘extremely happy.?
‘I am ecstatic that we finally have Dr. Outlaw as our superintendent,? Salter said. ‘We are 100 percent supportive.?
Outlaw isn’t quite officially the superintendent? the contract is expected to be signed on Monday at a finance committee meeting? but he was welcomed with enthusiastic applause by administrative staff, who also presented him with Blackhawks apparel.
‘I’m looking forward to getting to work,? said Outlaw, who is currently the principal of Grosse Pointe South High School, as he accepted the gifts and support. ‘I’m hoping to visit everyone’s building and meet with you. I need to learn and listen as we go along. I appreciate candor and I’m hoping for strong communication. Thank you all.?
Outlaw will not take over the superintendent position in an official capacity until current Superintendent Lorrie McMahon retires June 30, but said he plans to be in the district one day per week starting May 5.
Although contract details will not be released until he has signed, Outlaw said the new contract gives him a base salary of $130,000 annually, comparable to his current salary in Grosse Pointe, with merit pay in the contract based on enrollment.
Outlaw has worked in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools for more than a decade? as principal of South High School since July 2011, and prior to that, in positions as the assistant principal of North High School and the assistant principal and athletic director at South High School. He began his career in the Novi Community Schools, as a civics teacher at Novi High School from 1996 to 2001, before being named the dean of students there, a position in which he served for two years before moving on to Grosse Pointe. Outlaw earned his doctorate degree in educational leadership from Wayne State University in 2009.