The man who headed up the St. Joseph Public Schools for a year and a half before resigning is now one of two finalists for the role of Assistant Superintendent at the Berrien Springs Public School system.
The Berrien Springs School Board narrowed the field to two candidates after interviewing seven candidates on this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 14th and 15th for the assistant superintendent position. The two finalists are Dr. Tom Bruce, former superintendent at St. Joseph, and Dr. Shanna Spickard, a middle school principal in Milan.
The candidate interviews this week were about one hour each. Board members asked the candidates questions regarding the vision for the school district, competency-based learning, classrooms of the future, professional development, communication style, management and decision-making style, vision for technology, and many others. Candidates also were able to offer opening and closing statements. There were several staff and community members present and offered feedback on the candidates.
The second-round interviews will be held beginning at 4:00 pm next Wednesday, April 21st. The public is encouraged to attend. The interviews will also be able to be watched virtually.
Candidates and the times they will be interviewed are as follows:
Wednesday, April 21
- 4:00 pm Thomas Bruce, Ed.D., former Superintendent at St. Joseph 2019-21. Previously, he was Director of Curriculum in Arcadia, California for four years. He served as Principal in Arcadia for nine years. He also was Assistant Principal and taught in Howell Michigan. He earned his Ed.D. degree from Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA.
- 5:15 pm Shanna Spickard, Ed.D., Middle School Principal in Milan since 2015. Previously, she was Interim Superintendent and Principal in Manchester for nine years. She taught in Manchester, Fowlerville, and Chillicothe, Ohio for six years. She earned her Ed.D. from Eastern Michigan University.
The Board expects to appoint a new assistant superintendent to begin on July 1, 2021.
