Dr. Judy Walton pitches relationship-first leadership, a literacy 'menu' and tighter school-safety oversight in Michigan superintendent interview

Dr. Judy Walton, a finalist for Michigan superintendent of public instruction, told the State Board of Education at a midday interview that she would lead by building relationships and listening first, then quickly address written and operational priorities in the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

"Because kids" is the motivating line Walton offered about her candidacy, describing classroom- and community-level engagement as central to how she would gather information and set priorities. She said she grants trust from the outset: "You don't have to earn my trust. I grant trust from the beginning," Walton said, framing that philosophy as a way to surface varied staff experiences and build collaboration across MDE.

Why it matters: Walton presented a practical, staff-focused approach to a department that oversees roughly 1.4 million students. Her pitch combined teacher-and-student-facing proposals (classroom shadowing, a literacy resource menu) with system-facing priorities (clear metrics, interagency coordination and attention to school safety and liability).

Key policy proposals and specifics

- Literacy: Walton said the state should offer "a menu of choices" of approved, research-based "science of reading"…