ESD selects superintendent finalist.

ESD selects superintendent finalist.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

AMBER TOWNSHIP — The West Shore Educational Service District board of education has selected a finalist candidate for the position of superintendent. Over the last two days the board has interviewed four candidates and narrowed its choice to Dr. Jason Jeffrey, assistant superintendent for general education and career technical education at Traverse Bay Intermediate School District.

“We were very pleased to have four outstanding candidates to consider,” said Board President Cathy Becker. “The task of narrowing down the field was very difficult.  In the end, the Board felt that Dr. Jeffrey was the best fit for the candidate profile we developed.  The Board would like to thank all those who provided their input to help us develop that profile.  It has been, and will be, a very important tool for us to use during the process.”

Jeffrey has been invited back for a second interview, scheduled for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7 at the ESD’s main building, 2130 W. US 10-31.

“The public is strongly encouraged to attend,” said Dave Killips, a consultant who has assisted the board in its search to replace retiring superintendent Randy Howes. “Feedback from the audience has been very valuable to the Board in the selection process.”  Killips is the Regional President of the Michigan Leadership Institute and was selected by the West Shore ESD Board to facilitate the search effort.’

Jeffrey has been with the TBAISD since 2000.  He has served the ISD as an assistant principal, principal/director and as an assistant superintendent.  He is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he has earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial education and history; a master’s degree in industrial education and teaching special needs students; and a doctorate in educational leadership.

The narrowed its search from four. The other three candidates included: Mark Klumpp, assistant superintendent of the Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District; David Cox, director of career and technical education at Wexford Missaukee Intermediate School District; and Michael Behrmann, executive director of elementary education at Rochester Community Schools.