As Grand Rapids Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal begins the countdown to her retirement, The Grand Rapids Public School Board has launched a national search for her replacement. Earlier this month, the board voted unanimously to hire the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) to help aid them in the search.
Initially, many school officials thought the next superintendent would be somebody already on staff, however, the board has announced a national search will be conducted as well. While Weatherall Neal says she is staying out it, she has reservations about hiring an outsider as her replacement.
“And so that is my biggest fear, is to come in and try to make a name for yourself. That is just not the answer, right? The answer is in our community, and we need someone who is a collaborator.”
While the school board is also considering local candidates, Weatherall Neal says, she has some advice for anyone who is applying for the job.
“There is always a turn in superintendents, and I am not saying that someone has to commit their lives to Grand Rapids like I did," Weatherall Neal said. "I am saying don’t come here if you are looking for your next job already. That is not something that we want. We want someone who is committed to the staff, committed to the community, and committed to the children.”
The district hopes to have finalized the next Superintendent by April, Weatherall Neal’s last day on the job will be July 1st.
