The search is on for a new superintendent for the Leland Public School District.
Stephanie Long, whose been at the helm at Leland for five years, announced her retirement last week.
“I’m so grateful to have been a part of the Leland School community these last five years,” Long said. “We have been through some really tough times together — COVID, a construction project, financial diffi culties, the physical and mental exhaustion of those experiences — and we have solidified our bond as a collaborative, caring, and supportive team.”
Long spoke of pride in the district.
“I will forever cherish my experience as a superintendent here,” she said. “I will miss these students, our staff, and the really great community we have.”
Long’s retirement is effective June 30. She is going on to serve as a director of professional development as part of the team at the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators.
Leland’s Board of Education has hired the Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) for $6,200 and a not-to-exceed travel expense of $1,500. The search will be lead by MLI’s Peter Haines.
The goal for completing the process is May 1. Haines will begin with a specific and appropriate job description. He anticipates leaving the posting open for four-to-five weeks, and then reviewing candidates. Interviews are expected to be conducted in April, with a contract signed by May 1.
“Our board is second to none, and I know they will do a great job in finding the next superintendent,” Long said.
Earlier in the evening, during the board’s organizational meeting, Kate Vilter Stassen was elected president; Chris Alpers, vice president; Bill Duperon, treasurer; and Logan Suttman, secretary.
In other routine business, the board approved its annual operational millage, the one required by the state to keep open. The same millage has been approved by district each year since 1994 — 10.9013 on non-homestead properties
