3-11-2025 11:08pm

After Surveys, Board Wordsmiths Job Description as Saline Superintendent Search Begins

After 50 minutes of discussion on Tuesday, don't expect to hear much in the Saline Area Schools search for a new superintendent for a little while.

Consultant Jay Bennett, of the Michigan Association of School Boards, presented the findings from an internet survey about the job and then presented a potential job description to the Board of Education.

Saline Area Schools Superintendent Steve Laatsch is retiring at the end of the school year.

"I've had very positive inquiries about the position. I'm cautiously optimistic that we are going to have a very good pool to look at," Bennett said to Board of Education President Michael McVey, who had asked about the "word on the street" about the position.

Bennett suggested that the survey results suggest while the community likes the general direction of the district, there is also an appetite for change.

The survey also showed that the district wants someone who can manage a district budget. While some county districts got drunk on COVID funds, the district has managed budgets cautiously even as enrollment continues to be an issue,

The budget issue and curriculum development are neck-and-neck for the top issue.

Bennett said the answers were similar during conversations he had with people during the several meetings about the position.

The board wordsmithed the resulting job description. Several board members said they wanted a job description with more "pop." VP Jennifer Steben was asked to send Bennett language she suggested about having a superintendent who kept a public schedule.

One surprising number that came out of the discussion was how few people participated in the online survey. About 240 people answered the questions. Steben said that seemed low to her. Bennett said it was low and he'd hoped for 400-450 respondents. Still, he seemed satisfied with the results.

Bennett said he board members shouldn't expect to hear much from him over the next few weeks. He said he would post the opening as soon as Wednesday.

"I'll be working the phones and email and encouraging people to apply," he said. "Between that and spring break, it'll be a bit quiet for a little while."

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Libby Williams Neighbor

3-15-2025 9:07am

So many incorrect statements in this article. First, the Superintendent job posting is already up. The document they were discussing at the meeting contains specific requirements and preferences for the position and will be attached to the current post.

Second, the survey results indicate what the community think is most important in a superintendent-and one who is proficient with budget planning and curriculum development was obviously important.

That does NOT mean there are “issues” in these areas; it means these are important job criteria.

The correct language was someone who will “continue the direction of the current administration but who can make some necessary changes.”

That does not suggest an “appetite for change;” the word SOME clearly indicates few changes. The entire first part of the question indicates that the community is happy with the direction of the administration, and wants some issues addressed by the new superintendent.

“…don't expect to hear much in the Saline Area Schools search for a new superintendent for a little while.”

“Bennett said the board members shouldn't expect to hear much from him over the next few weeks….He said he would post the opening as soon as Wednesday.”

You keep adding your own opinions that there will be no movement on the posting, including that Mr. Bennett won’t be heard from for weeks - yet the ADDITION to the post (again, it’s already up) will be added by Wednesday.

You add inflammatory rhetoric designed to rile people up instead of presenting facts. You seem to be incapable of keeping your personal opinions and biases out of your “reporting.”