Ferndale Superintendent Search Down to Two, Decision June 19

Ferndale Superintendent Search Down to Two
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 12, 2014)
The interview process continues to see who will be the next Superintendent of Ferndale Public Schools. Six candidates were interviewed, and two have moved on to tours of the district and further interviews.
The School Board selected Jennifer Martin-Green, Executive Director of Innovation and Instruction for the Westwood Community School District (located in Dearborn Heights), and Blake Prewitt, Curriculum Director for Armada Area Schools
Board President Jim O’Donnell said, “All six candidates have a number of strengths, making for difficult choices. With tonight’s tough decision made, the Board is excited to bring back Mr. Prewitt and Ms. Martin-Green and we look forward to visiting their districts as well.”
Martin-Green toured the district and met with staff and the community on Thursday, June 12. Prewitt will tour the district and meet with staff and the community on Friday, June 13, including an interview at 6:30pm at the Harding Administration Center.
The Board will take feedback from attendees of small group meetings into consideration when making their final decision, which is expected at a special Board of Education meeting on June 19 at 6 PM.
Jennifer Martin-Green has worked in several schools. From 2005-2007 she was Assistant Principal at Detroit Tech High School. From 2007-2010 she was at Oak Park Preparatory Academy. From 2010-2013 she was Assistant Superintendent in Ypsilanti. And since July 1, 2013 she’s been Executive Director of Innovation and Instruction for the Westwood Community School District.
Online research on Martin comes up with a variety of news stories, blog posts, and comments. She does not seem to have a public social media presence, though she did have a Twitter account which was deleted. The links show many sides of Martin’s history, including a dispute with the state over graduation rates, various allegations, efforts to save money with more online learning, and opinions that could be key to understanding her role in the school communities she has worked in:
http://studentandeducator.org/education_071113_westwood.htm
http://www.annarbor.com/news/education/2012-graduation-rates-a-mixed-bag-some-washtenaw-county-schools-improve-others-see-more-dropouts/
http://www.annarbor.com/news/education/former-ypsilanti-principal-says-he-was-targeted-for-looking-into-districts-spending/
http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti-public-schools-hires-new-assistant-superintendent-for-educational-quality/
http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti-schools-to-propose-new-hire-for-assistant-superintendent-position/
http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/ypsilanti-middle-school-to-adopt-new-tech-education-model/
http://www.wwschools.net/Portals/Westwood/District/docs/Event%20Notices/PR_Martin%20and%20Konrad.pdf
http://markmaynard.com/2013/02/as-we-contemplate-a-brighter-future-for-ypsi-public-schools-an-anonymous-letter-alleges-financial-impropriety-at-ypsd-under-martin-tenure/
http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/another-ypsilanti-schools-administrator-named-a-superintendent-finalist/
Blake Prewitt has been Curriculum Director for Armada Area Schools since 2012. Prior to that he was a high school principal in Ohio, and held several positions in the West Bloomfield School District. He too has an online presence revealing of his priorities and reputation as he’s gone into new positions.
http://www.voicenews.com/articles/2012/08/29/armada_times/doc503e3ecbe6fb8118941593.txt
http://prezi.com/user/_kijzskalipv/
http://voicenews.com/articles/2013/12/30/armada_times/doc52bc945e9ef72408854401.txt
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20100620/west-bloomfield-high-school-to-have-co-principals
http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2012/08/st_joseph_academy_in_cleveland.html
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/prewitt-blake/85/917/19
https://twitter.com/btmkprewitt
When asked about the role of online searches and social media in considering candidates, O’Donnell said “Each individual board member considers all documented, relevant and legal aspects of an applicant. As a group, we haven’t discussed online news stories or social media, but I know individually several have. The only items excluded from consideration are those factors prohibited by state and federal law, and by board policy (which adds protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation), or items that are so speculative as to be unusable.” He added “Contemporary online media provide many new insights on potential employees. Sometimes those are well sourced and often they are speculative. It’s the speculative or anonymous accusations that are not useful in any employment search.”
Information about the superintendent search is regularly updated on the FPS website. There is a link on the home page at www.ferndaleschools.org.

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