One of the three final candidates for superintendent of Shaker schools, Dr. Demond A. Means, has withdrawn his name from consideration. Means informed the Mequon-Thiensville Board of Education of his decision Sunday, March 17. The district’s website released a press statement today.
Means’ withdrawal follows the M-T board’s efforts to keep him at the helm of the district, located outside of Milwaukee, WI.
The M-T board released a statement March 15 which said, “the board has been actively engaged, working on behalf of the best interests of the Mequon-Thiensville School District. Toward that end, board members met face to face with Dr. Means to express their support of his leadership.”
In addition to announcing Means’ decision to remain M-T superintendent, the statement released today said, “The Board had voted unanimously on Tuesday, March 13 to clearly state its support for Dr. Means’ leadership and its interest in having him continue as the district’s superintendent due to his excellent leadership and capabilities. The full board made this statement to Dr. Means in person on Wednesday morning. He has been a strong leader who has been critical to the success of the district in the past and is essential to the organization’s future…The Board of Education is thrilled that he will stay in Mequon-Thiensville, and we look forward to working with him to advance in the best interests of our schools, students and community.”
The two remaining superintendent candidates are Dr. David A. Bowlin of Westlake and Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings of Alexandria, VA.
The Shaker Heights Board of Education posted a statement thanking “the hundreds of citizens who participated in meeting, listening to, and interviewing the three superintendent candidates” on shaker.org today. The statement also said that after “an intense interview process and review of comments from a wide variety of stakeholders, including staff and community members, the Board reached a consensus on our choice for our next superintendent. The Board is now engaged in the process recommended by our search consultant for verifying that candidate’s background and references. As soon as we have finalized the details, the Board will be pleased to announce the name of our next superintendent, who will assume office for the 2013-14 school year.”
Board President Annette Tucker Sutherland said that before the announcement two members of the board will visit the selected candidate’s current workplace to talk to his colleagues. The board will then conduct contract negotiations with this candidate. Sutherland said that she was aiming for an announcement April 9.
