By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Brandywine Public Schools' search for a superintendent officially came to an end on Monday night as the Board of Education unanimously approved a three year, $97,000 contract for Gary Rider.
Prior to the board meeting, Rider, who will be leaving his position as principal at Kenowa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, was welcomed by the Brandywine community at a reception in the Brandywine Middle/High School library. He will officially begin his position as Brandywine's superintendent on July 1.
He brought his wife Sandy and his daughters Kristy, 24, and Erin, 20, to visit the Brandywine district on Monday.
And as his first order of business, Rider will dive right into the community by sitting down with people and getting to know as much as he can about the Brandywine district.
In addition to getting to know the people, he will spend time gathering information and assessing the issues facing the school district.
He said that 10 years from now, he wants other districts to approach Brandywine to ask for advice on how they have been so successful.
Rider is also excited to come into a district that is making large improvements with the facility bond project that has recently gotten underway.
In other business:
The teachers who were recalled are Jennifer Bucha, Nancy Mitchell, Ron Simpson and Chris Inman.
He pointed to the fact that this levy is the same tax that has been used for the last 10 years and it will not equate to any new or additional tax.
It only affects non-homestead property, such as commercial property and second homes.
Campbell said passing this millage is crucial to the district and without it the district will not qualify for state funding.