Rochester School Officials Narrow Search For New Superintendent

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Rochester Community School District officials picked four candidates for initial interviews in its search for a new district superintendent during a Monday night meeting.

Bay City Public Schools Superintendent Stephen Bigelow, Roseville Public Schools Assistant Superintendent David Rice, Walled Lake Consolidated School District Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Nicholas Russo and Fraser Public Schools Superintendent Carrie Wozniak were chosen from a total of 20 applicants for the initial interviews.

Bigelow and Rice will be interviewed on Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively, according to district officials.

Russo and Wozniak will be interviewed the next day on Tuesday, March 19 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively, according to district officials.

All interviews will take place in the Reuther Middle School media center, 1430 E. Auburn Road in Rochester Hills, according to district officials.

The interviews are open to the public and will be recorded and posted on the district's website, according to district officials.

After the initial interviews, district officials will then immediately choose the candidates they want to participate in a tour of the schools, community forum and final interview with board members on April 1, according to district officials.

District officials outlined a list of qualities they're looking for in the search, including:

• Promotes a positive and professional environment that includes mutual trust and respect among faculty, staff, administrators and the board
• Is willing to listen to input, but is a decision maker
• Is a strong communicator in speaking, listening and writing
• Possesses the leadership skills, knowledge and sensitivity required to respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by a diverse student body and community
• Is strongly committed to a “student centered” philosophy in all decisions
• Has a strong moral compass that is rooted in justice and equality
• Has classroom experience in a K-12 setting
• Has experience with effective management and planning practices that will benefit the long-term financial health of the district
• Is able to delegate and oversee the work of staff (i.e. leading by example) and appropriately maintain accountability
• Is able to build consensus and commitment among individuals and groups
• Possesses the ability to enhance student performance, especially in identifying and narrowing the gaps in student achievement and opportunity

"I appreciated seeing the full board working together collaboratively to identify the applicants to interview and address next steps in the interview process. We look forward to meeting the applicants in person and selecting the next individual to lead our district," Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District President Michelle Bueltel said.

Rochester Community School District officials began searching for a new superintendent in November 2023, shortly after former Superintendent Robert Shaner resigned from his post in August 2023.

Shaner's resignation came roughly 16 months after parents asked him to step down following a lawsuit with a Rochester parent. The district paid Elena Dinverno nearly $190,000 to settle the lawsuit she filed against the district, claiming school officials got her fired from her job for criticizing the district's COVID-19 policies.

John Silveri, a resident of the Rochester area for 15 years, was appointed interim superintendent in August 2023 just after Shaner's resignation.

Silveri will serve as interim superintendent until district officials find a new superintendent, which they hope to have by the start of the 2024-25 school year, according to district officials.