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Updated: 6/11/2008 11:31:39 PM
Dexter schools extend superintendent search, final candidates don't 'fit'
The search for a replacement for outgoing Superintendent Evelynn Shirk will continue on well into the remaining calendar year.

The Dexter Community Schools Board of Education decided this week that none of the three finalist candidates for the position "fit" the district.

The Board of Education held the special meeting on Wednesday to make the decision, which was originally scheduled to be made on June 2 - their last regularly scheduled meeting, at which all members presided in person except for Board President Larry Cobler, who teleconferenced into the meeting.

Michael Wendorff and Ron Darr were not present Wednesday, although Darr participated in both the open session and subsequent closed session via teleconference to discuss options with Michigan Leadership Institute representative Michael Wilmont.

Wilmont is heading up the search for candidates and coordinating the screening process and other facets of finding suitable superintendents, as well as acting as a strategic planning consultant for the district. His existing business relationship with the district led to Dexter schools getting the search at a cost of $4,000, which is below their usual rate, according to Cobler.

After the closed session, it was decided that the remainder of the 20 applicants would receive a second pass for resume screening and district officials would attempt to shore up another candidate or batch of finalists.

The first-round of final candidates included Nancy Staub, Pinckney Community Schools assistant superintendent; Brian Metcalf, Marshall Community Schools assistant superintendent; and John Savel, Trenton Public Schools superintendent.

Four of the 20 reached the first screening round, with one dropping out before first interviews and the rest being caught in this week's decision. John Savel of Trenton Public Schools withdrew his application at the last minute.

Cobler said that the district would attempt to find their candidates from the pool and process basis that they have already paid for.

He did not indicate that an internal candidate was in the running or that thought of moving someone on staff up to the superintendent's chair was a motivating factor.

According to Wilmont's estimation, the district could have finalists by the end of November or early December. A final candidate could cross the finish line in January, the start of the second semester of the 2008-09 school year.

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