FeedsPrincipal named at Belleville High School
Van Buren Public School District Board of Education members have approved the hiring of Shelia Brown as the new principal at Belleville High School. Her hiring was approved by a 4-1 vote of the board members last week.
According to Superintendent Pete Lazaroff, Brown was selected from nine applicants who went through a series of interviews. A second round of interviews then took place for four of those candidates. Three of those potential principals were invited to return for another set of interviews, he said.
Brown was chosen based on experience and education, he said.
“We’re very pleased with her qualifications regarding educational leadership and academic background,” said Lazaroff. “We thought she was a good fit for programs at Belleville High School, too. We’re anxious to have her begin.”
However, not everyone was on board with the choice.. Trustee Toni Hunt was the only one to vote ‘no’ during the special meeting last Thursday. Vice President Ralph Nodwell and Trustee Rob Coutts were absent.
“It’s not that I don’t think (Brown) will do well, it’s that we have four very qualified assistant principals here, too,” said Hunt. “I felt that an internal candidate would understand the district better, as well as the students and staff, particularly when we’re going through our new seven period reorganization plan.
“I truly believe we have so many qualified people in-house to fill the position nicely,” she added.
Treasurer Keith Johnston said he likes the experience Brown brings, such as working in a diverse school district.
“She’s professional and personable, which is important in this position,” he said. “I think she’ll make a smooth transition with the new restructuring plan and hopefully she’ll have a lot of new ideas.”
Johnston added he had no problems going outside of the high school to find a new principal.
“I trust the people who interviewed the candidates,” he said.
Brown, a former assistant principal at Northville High School, will officially start on Aug. 8. She also worked as a teacher at Huron High School in Ann Arbor from 1983-2001.
“Her experience as an assistant principal and teacher will help both student achievement and staff development,” said Lazaroff.
Brown could not be reached for additional comment in time for publication.
