Franklin Elementary principal is new Ludington superintendent

LUDINGTON — Franklin Elementary Principal Andrea Large will be the next superintendent of Ludington Area Schools. The board of education met in special session this afternoon to make a final decision following a special meeting Wednesday when three finalists were interviewed. The board unanimously voted to hire Large.

During today’s meeting, the board members all agreed that Large and Karen Sherwood were the final two candidates. Each member spoke about the two women and compared and contrasted their qualities.

“We wouldn’t go wrong either way,” trustee Shawn McDonald said. “At the end of the day I just think Andrea rose to the occasion.”

“Andrea has not had the job but we already see her as equal to someone who is a superintendent,” said board president Sue Peterson.

“To me it came down to there are two so equal in my mind, what’s better superintendent in a small district or who we already know in our district,” trustee Mary Jo Pung said.

The position was left vacant in January when Cal DeKuiper accepted the superintendent position for Zeeland Public Schools. The board will meet this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Business Office on East Tinkham Avenue. The agenda states the board will discuss the superintendent hiring process. It is likely the board will make its final decision tonight. MCP will be at the meeting and will post when or if a decision if made.

Trustee Kelly Thomsen made the motion, with a second from trustee Ray Janish, to enter into negotiations with large and offer her the position.

Interim Superintendent David Killips said he believes the transition will take place on July 1. The board will meet in regular session Monday.