By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Brandywine Community Schools was on the rise under Gary Rider, most Brandywine officials agree.
On Monday, Dale Schreuder of the Michigan Leadership Institute held multiple forums with Brandywine administrators, teachers and staff, who said they want the district to continue to ascend under the next superintendent.
It was also clear, Schreuder said, that the next person in charge should be willing to build off of what Brandywine has accomplished with curriculum mapping and education standards, communication between buildings, finances and improvement projects.
"It's a different climate then it was three years ago," Schreuder said. "It was very important to many people … we hire someone that recognizes what goes on here and is able to take the district to the next level with everything that is already in place."
The most important characteristic the next Brandywine superintendent must possess is the ability and willingness to deal directly and fairly with faculty, staff, students and parents. Other qualities candidates should have include strong interpersonal and public relation skills and a personal interest and involvement in the community, those at the public forums decided.
Brandywine is also looking for a superintendent for the long term, or a "continuity of leadership." Schreuder said Brandywine should expect to find candidates willing to fill that role.
The district has much to offer, including a successful curriculum mapping plan, solid financial management and a 15 percent fund balance – considered adequate by the State of Michigan – as well as a recently successful bond election, a tight-knit community and stable enrollment during a period when the state has seen an overall decrease, Schreuder said.
Lynne Listenberger, Brandywine special education coordinator, said the established relationship between teachers and staff and administrators needs to be maintained.
"Administrators and staff really do treat others respectfully and professionally. You feel like your opinions matter," Listenberger said. "Along with vision, I really think the person needs to have a positive outlook and fire people up."
The board of education decided to advertise with a brochure similar to what was used three years ago to hire a superintendent and post it on the Internet at the Michigan Leadership Institute Web site, www.mileader.com. The new document will mention the district's implemented strategic plan, its fiscal stability, the approaching bond project and the community's growing tax base, a stable student enrollment and high percentage of graduates that pursue secondary education, and Adequate Yearly Progress scores and high grades from the Michigan Department of Education. "We felt that they encompassed a good description of Brandywine Community Schools," Schreuder said. Brandywine can expect to see 15 to 18 applicants for the superintendent position, Schreuder said, adding he has already received a half dozen calls about the job. "The word is out there that the position is open," he said. Applications are due by April 6 and by April 9 Schreuder said he would have all the resumes to the board of education. The next scheduled meeting regarding the superintendent search is April 16 at 7 p.m., when the board and Schreuder will go into closed session to finalize candidates. Public interviews will be conducted in the Brandywine Middle/High School Media Center.