Michigan State Board votes to offer superintendent job to Dr. Glenn Malayko; some members raise concerns

The Michigan State Board of Education voted in open session to offer the state superintendent position to Dr. Glenn Malayko after deliberations among three finalists and public comment that included both praise for candidates and sharp criticism of one finalist.

During the meeting’s public‑comment period, Kristen Lee, who identified herself as Michigan education director for Citizens Defending Freedom, thanked the board and urged more time and transparency so working Michiganders could review finalists and provide feedback. Lee also said the board should give priority to candidates who "value open and transparent communication" and cited "section 380.10," calling parental decision‑making a fundamental right. An online caller who identified himself as Adam of Birmingham urged the board not to select Lisa Coons, alleging she had left prior positions under "suspicious circumstances," that departments he associated with her had missed reporting deadlines, and that senior staff departures followed her tenure; those allegations were made in public comment without supporting documents or responses in the meeting.

After public comment, Dr. Max McGee, the board’s search consultant, outlined a four‑option framework for members to state preferences (a first choice; a top two; who to bring back for another interview; or that none were qualified). Board members then gave their preferences. Several members cited Dr. Glenn Malayko’s statewide stakeholder support and experience working with diverse districts as reasons to back him; other members publicly favored Dr. Judy Walton. One board member voiced frustration that a candidate with an "excellent" entry plan was not receiving wider support.

A separate, pointed concern arose in deliberations when one board member alleged there had been bias in closed session and said a candidate had not demonstrated sufficient knowledge of statute or specifics about implementing a literacy law. That member said the candidate’s answers were vague and lacked substance and that, if selected, the candidate would need substantial preparation.

Board member Doctor Pritchett moved to offer the position to Dr. Glenn Malayko; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote. The roll call recorded Yes votes from Bullock, Lipton, Pritchett, Pugh and Tilly and No votes from McMillan, Robinson and Snyder. The chair announced the motion carried and directed next steps.

Dr. McGee described the next steps as finalizing contract terms (including compensation and term length) and arranging a deeper background check by Baker Eubanks, a third‑party firm that will run financial and court‑record checks; McGee said that service is an additional board expense of roughly $2,000. The search consultant said contract approval is expected to be scheduled for the Sept. 9 board meeting, after which the board and the superintendent will typically meet to set performance goals and an entry plan in open session.

Board members used their closing comments to thank staff and search consultants for preparatory work; several members noted the first day of school across districts and visited sites including Paul Robinson Malcolm X Academy and Oak Park Public Schools. The board set its next meeting for Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m., with subsequent meetings in October and November. The meeting was then adjourned.

Claims and contested assertions made during the meeting were confined to public comment and one board member’s criticism in deliberations; no documentary evidence was presented during the meeting to substantiate allegations about a finalist’s prior employment or performance, and those assertions remain unresolved within the record of this meeting.