Board unanimously approves Matt Olsen as Okemos superintendent

The Okemos Public Schools Board of Education voted to approve a contract with Matt Olsen to serve as superintendent, effective May 1, 2026, in a roll-call motion that recorded unanimous support.

Trustee Phelps moved to waive the reading and approve the contract; the motion was supported and passed by roll-call. After the vote the board chair invited Olsen to address the room. Olsen, identified in the contract item and introduced at the meeting as the district’s incoming superintendent, thanked trustees and community members and said he was “grateful for the trust” of those who supported his hiring. He emphasized the district vision—"every learner every day, stronger together"—and said he plans to prioritize collaboration across the district as he assumes the role.

Olsen told the board he was excited to join the community and asked for patience during the transition, noting "it's going to be a little messy the first couple of months while I'm waiting for the house to close, but we're going to get there." The board noted the superintendent’s first contractual day is Friday and welcomed the opportunity to continue onboarding work.

The approval followed usual board procedure: motion, second, and roll-call vote. The meeting record shows trustees present and voting affirmatively during the roll call. The board subsequently adjourned briefly to an executive session earlier in the agenda for attorney-client and contract negotiation matters and returned to open session to complete this action.

Next steps: Olsen’s contract takes effect as stated; the district will continue transition and onboarding activities and the board will proceed with regular oversight and future meetings.