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Board previews internal superintendent search after announced retirement
Summary
Board leadership announced Superintendent Andrea Oak West will retire effective Dec. 31, 2026, and laid out an internal search timeline with stakeholder input (May 26–June 5 survey), internal posting (June 24–July 8), interviews in July and a planned selection by July 30; final transition would take place Jan. 1, 2027.
President Burton opened discussion of human resources items and turned the superintendent search overview over to McFarland, the board’s human‑resources lead. McFarland said Superintendent Andrea Oak West has announced her retirement effective Dec. 31, 2026, and praised her leadership and long service to the district.
McFarland said the board has engaged the Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) to facilitate an internal search and described a timeline and stakeholder engagement plan to shape the candidate profile. Key dates McFarland listed included a stakeholder survey (May 26–June 5), in‑person stakeholder meetings June 2, a board/MLI meeting to finalize the position announcement on June 22, an internal posting (June 24–July 8) with applications accepted through 4 p.m. July 8, a closed‑session applicant presentation on July 13, first‑round interviews July 20, finalists selected July 22, second‑round interviews July 27 and a board selection on July 30. McFarland said contract negotiations and finalization would occur in August and the incoming superintendent would shadow the outgoing superintendent during November and December for a Jan. 1, 2027 start.
McFarland emphasized the board’s intent to begin with an internal search because the district has a deep bench of administrators; he added that if an internal candidate is not selected the board will expand the search externally. He also urged stakeholders to participate in the survey and the June engagement meetings. Several board members thanked McFarland and expressed appreciation for the planned stakeholder input and the planned transition schedule.
The board did not take a vote at this meeting; McFarland said the search schedule and public input opportunities are expected to guide the formal hiring process and that additional details would be available as MLI and district staff finalize materials.
The board expects to post the internal announcement June 24 and accept applications through July 8, with selection and transition steps running through the end of 2026 into Jan. 2027.
