State Board Announces Finalists for State Superintendent

Liz Gullett

Apr 26, 2019

The State Board of Education is one step closer to selecting the next State Superintendent after choosing the three finalists. Following two days of public interviews and deliberation, the board announced the three finalists:

- Brenda Cassellius – Immediate past Minnesota Commissioner of Education
- Michael Rice – Superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools
- Jeanice Swift – Superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools

The final round of interviews will begin on May 7. The position was left vacant following the death of former State Superintendent Brian Whiston. Chief Deputy Superintendent Sheila Alles has been serving as the Interim State Superintendent.

Under the Michigan Constitution, the State Board of Education is responsible for the appointment of a State Superintendent. The State Superintendent is the principal executive officer of the Michigan Department of Education and is chairperson of the State Board without the right to vote. He or she is responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision, and leadership of the department.

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