By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- The search for a superintendent continued Monday as the Brandywine Public Schools Board of Education interviewed two new candidates.
Daniel Woodward, a higher education consultant with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, and Gary Rider, principal of Kenowa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, underwent their first interviews in the Brandywine Middle/High School library Monday night.
He retired as the superintendent of Orchard View, but now feels that was a mistake and would like to return to the position.
Woodward indicated that he has had experience dealing with a bond issue in Jonesville and that he likes the challenges of being a superintendent.
He also stressed the importance of working with the community and publicizing the Brandywine district. He said he was successful in increasing student enrollment in Jonesville and would like to do that here in Brandywine.
In his other districts, Woodward said his staff would consider him a fair, open and honest leader.
As a superintendent, Rider would be committed to student achievement, long range planning and getting to know the entire Brandywine community.
He is confident in his leadership abilities and looks forward to taking the district to the next level.
One improvement he aims to make is to create a higher level of trust among the community and the school district.
He also acknowledged the importance of being a visible and easily accessible superintendent.