Swartz Creek board continues superintendent search after first-round interviews

The Swartz Creek Community Schools Board of Education continued its superintendent search on Feb. 19, 2026, holding the second day of first-round interviews and later moving a motion to advance candidates to a final round. Board President Chuck Melki called the special meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. in the Joan Ferris Board Room at the district administration office.

The board interviewed three candidates over the evening: Dr. Sarita Stevens (interview recorded as 5:07–5:48 p.m.), Mr. Kenneth Janczarek (6:15–7:03 p.m.) and Mrs. Michelle Paul (7:15–7:59 p.m.). After the interviews, the board debriefed with search consultant Ray and Associates. According to the posted minutes, "A motion was made by K. Engel, supported by A. Henry, to approve up to three candidates to move on to the final round." The transcript does not record a vote tally or the formal outcome of that motion in the posted lines.

No public comments were given at either of the meeting's public comment periods, the minutes state. The district did not record or publish any candidate presentations or direct quotes in the segments provided; the posted times and candidate names are the recorded factual details available from the minutes.

The board's next procedural step, according to the meeting record, was to identify finalists for the final round; the minutes do not list which candidates, if any, had been formally advanced by vote. The district did not record a subsequent vote tally within the posted transcript.