Board of Education Selects Next Superintendent of Berkley Schools

Good morning, Berkley Schools Community,

Last night, at the Regular Board of Education Meeting, the Board selected the next Superintendent for Berkley Schools. During this portion of the meeting, the Board took time discussing the two final candidates for Superintendent: Scott Francis, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, Berkley Schools, and Beth Gonzalez, Assistant Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District. After reviewing 24 applications from candidates from six states, interviewing three candidates, reviewing community feedback, conducting finalist interviews, presentations, and site visits as well as reading through the feedback the community submitted for the stakeholder meetings and finalist interviews, the Board voted to enter into contract negotiations to hire Mr. Scott Francis as the next Superintendent of Berkley Schools.

There is no more important job for the school Board than selecting the superintendent. We want to thank both Mr. Francis and Ms. Gonzalez for the time, attention and energy they put forth in this robust hiring process. We interviewed incredible candidates all with unique assets and experiences. We have incredibly high expectations for this position, thinking about our District vision, goals and things we have yet to do. We had to choose the candidate who will continue the hard work that has been started and also continue to be a visionary for the Berkley Schools.

Scott Francis has been the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Technology for the Berkley School District for the last four years. Prior to that, Mr. Francis was the Pattengill Elementary principal for three years here in the Berkley School District. Mr. Francis’ career began as an elementary, special education and middle school teacher in the Troy and Brandon school districts for 15 years.

We believe Mr. Francis will build on our District’s strengths and move us forward on our quest to be a model district. His background as a teacher, as a principal and as a district administrator translates into a very well-rounded body of personal experience that has prepared him to lead the District for the long term. Mr. Francis has played an active role in our school district’s current success and has a commitment to academic excellence in the District, for all children. He has a vision that not only continues the work of the District but one that harnesses the very essence of what makes the Berkley School District so special. We are confident we have selected the best person for the position of Superintendent, and look forward to working with Mr. Francis for years to come.

Our next steps include negotiating a contract with Mr. Francis, and once that contract has been signed and approved at a Board of Education meeting, the Superintendent search process will be complete. Once the contract is approved, Mr. Francis will send a message to the community introducing himself. Mr. Francis will officially begin in his new role on July 1.

Thank you so much to everyone who watched the interviews, sent us emails, and filled out the feedback forms. Thank you to the candidates for submitting their applications and for putting themselves out to the community through their interviews and stakeholder meetings. We greatly appreciate this community and their interest and investment in the Berkley School District.

As a reminder, if you have any questions about this process, please submit them to Lori Suarez, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and the Board. She will make sure your questions are directed to the appropriate person. All media inquiries should be directed to Jessica Stilger, Director of Communications.

Sincerely,

Keith A. Logsdon
President
Berkley School District Board of Education