UPDATE March 20, 2024: On March 20, the AAPS Board of Education named Jazz Parks, previously the interim superintendent, as the new Superintendent of the Ann Arbor Public Schools. They had planned to continue the lengthy search process; however, following a $25 million budget shortfall that was discovered recently is will likely result in budget cuts, the board decided to appoint Parks as the permanent Superintendent on a 4-3 vote, without conducting a candidate search.
Original story:
On Oct. 11 2023, the Board of Education appointed Jazz Parks, assistant superintendent of school leadership, as the interim superintendent following Superintendent Jeanice Swift’s resignation. Swift had worked with the Ann Arbor Public Schools for 10 years before she resigned last September.
According to a statement from the Board of Education (BoE), despite the change in leadership, their goals stay the same. In a statement released Nov. 16, the board said that they will “continue to prioritize the important work to support and serve our students, teachers and staff, school and district leaders, parents and community across these Ann Arbor Public Schools.”
Parks has worked in the AAPS for over several years, notably working as the principal of Tappan Middle School from 2009-2016. Since 2020, she has served as the assistant Superintendent.
In a Feb. 2 Superintendent Update, Parks revealed that she had appointed two new cabinet members. Filling two of the empty positions, Shonta A. Langford and Concetta A. Lewis, became the Assistant Superintendents of Human Resources and Employee Relations, and the Office of Special Education, respectively.
During Park’s term, the search for a new Superintendent continues. According to MLive, in a Board of Education meeting on Nov. 18, the Board voted on a firm to aid in the hiring process.
The application for AAPS Superintendent is listed on HYA Assoc. website, with requirements like an advanced degree and administrative certification, and the preference for “Central Office and/or building administrative experience, previous superintendent experience [and] k-12 classroom teaching experience.” The application closes Feb. 26, 2024. Though this deadline is right around the corner, the Board will still have a long process of hiring the next superintendent.
The first round of interviews will begin March 16, and in the week following, the finalists will undergo interviews with staff and parents. On April 3, the Board will undergo their final interviews, before choosing an applicant in Late April. On July 1, the new Superintendent’s contract will go into effect, the summer before the 2024-25 school year.
After the sudden resignation of Jeanice Swift, the Board of Education is divided in their next course of action. Some members don’t want to rush into hiring a new leader of the District. “ It’s my suggestion that we allow our interim to come into her position and we get her opinion about what is going to be the best way that we move forward to keep the system stable” Trustee Susan Ward Schmitt told MLive.
Other members believe the sooner they can fill the position, the sooner the district can get back on track. “We want to get to stability and we do that by finding a permanent superintendent,” said Trustee Jeff Gaynor.
The president of The Ann Arbor Education Association, the AAPS faculty union, Fred Klein, said he believes that the quick hiring process will “put undue pressure on any interim superintendent as well as the incoming superintendent once the hiring process is completed.” In addition, Klein and the AAEA expect to be involved in interviewing and selecting candidates. “The AAEA will make it clear that we want to be closely involved with the [entire] process,” he said.
During the search, the Board has been relying on the input of many students, staff, and parents. Earlier in the search, a Superintendent Survey was released to students and parents in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Essentially, it asked what qualities one prioritized and valued for the new superintendent. In addition,, a Superintendent Search Focus Group for Support Staff was created, open to all staff interested in giving their input on the choice of a new superintendent.
Until late April, the majority of the public won’t know the identity of the new Superintendent, and Parks will continue to serve as the interim.
How school leadership works:
The Superintendent is appointed by the members of the Board of Education. They supervise, lead, and represent the District and work with the BoE.
Assistant Superintendents are appointed by the superintendent to control specific departments in the AAPS. For example, School Safety, Middle Schools, and Facilities.
The Board Of Education is elected by voters. There are eight members, including the Superintendent who also serves on the Board. They create policy, vote on important issues, and of course, hire the Superintendent.