The reputation of the Berrien Springs Public Schools was readily evident when the dust settled on a total of 27 applicants for the role of Assistant Superintendent of that district here in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Now, there are seven left standing, ready to be interviewed by the Board of Education.
The Berrien Springs Public Schools Board met on Tuesday of this week to review applicants for the assistant superintendent position. The Board felt the candidate pool was excellent with 27 applicants and decided they will interview seven of the candidates for the position. The Board is being assisted in the search process by the Michigan Association of School Boards.
The interviews will be held beginning at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 14th, and Thursday, April 15th at the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy at 501 Middle School Drive. The public is encouraged to attend the interviews. The second round of interviews is planned for April 21st.
The candidates and times each will be interviewed is as follows:
Wednesday, April 14
- 4:00 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.
- 4:55 pm Kevin Simmons, Superintendent at Battle Creek Pennfield since 2019. Previously, he served as HS Principal in Kelloggsville for three years. He also was Principal in Fort Wayne, Baltimore, Benton Harbor, and Grand Rapids for eighteen years. He was an administrator and teacher in Covert for six years and taught and coached in Georgia for five years. He earned his MA degree from Western Michigan University.
- 6:00 pm Cassandra Shipp, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President K-14 Initiatives for Ivy Tech Community College since 2020. Previously, she served as director of secondary curriculum for Muncie Schools in Indiana for five years. She was a Dean, Vice Principal and Principal in Indianapolis Schools for seven years. She was a teacher and instructional coach for eleven years in Indianapolis. She earned her Ph.D. from Indiana University.
- 6:55 pm Ann Marie Cluff, Superintendent in Eau Claire since 2018. Previously, she served as curriculum director in Eau Claire for one year. She was a consultant for Berrien RESA for nine years. She taught in Bridgman, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph for twelve years. She received MA degrees from University of Phoenix.
Thursday, April 15
- 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.
- 4:55 pm Greg Blomgren, HS Principal in St. Joseph since 2016. Previously he served as assistant principal and basketball coach in St. Joseph for seven years. He taught in Dowagiac for seven years and in Iowa and Wisconsin for four years. He earned his MA degree from Ferris State University.
- 5:50 pm Deanna Dobbins, Ed.D., elementary principal in Glenpool Oklahoma since 2015. Previously, she was assistant principal/instructional coach in Stillwater Oklahoma for five years. She also taught in Garland, Texas for seven years. She earned her Ed.D. degree from Oklahoma State University.
The Board expects to appoint a new assistant superintendent to begin July 1, 2021.
