Brandywine’s board of education began its search to fill the shoes of longtime superintendent John Jarpe with two familiar faces Monday.

Karen Weimer, principal at Merritt Elementary, and Patrick Weckel, principal at Brandywine Middle/High School, were each given 75 minutes in front of the board to explain why they were the best candidate for the job. Board members took turns asking questions prepared ahead of time before asking questions submitted by audience members.

At the conclusion of each interview, audience members were invited to submit their thoughts on each candidate in writing. After the board reviewed them, members reported back any positive remarks they found in the comments, as well as any positive opinions they had about the candidate.

Board members were instructed by Gary Rider, former Brandywine superintendent and president of Rider Educational Consulting, who is facilitating the interviews, to form their decision for the next school leader based on how closely each candidate matches the candidate profile generated by the board, rather than comparing the two candidates.

The board opted to accept applications from candidates inside the district before opening the opportunity to outside applicants. If the board decides neither candidate would be a good fit for superintendent, applications will be open to people outside the district.

Board members said they were pleased with both candidates and a majority decided they needed more information before making a decision.

“We feel we have two outstanding candidates and it will be important for us to learn about their vision for the future of the district,” said Board President Janice Exner at the conclusion of the interviews.

The board voted unanimously to invite both Weimer and Weckel back for a second round of interviews Monday.

 

A shared passion

For many in attendance, perhaps the biggest takeaway from the first round of interviews was that both candidates appeared to share an enormous passion for the Brandywine community.

Weimer said her commitment to Brandywine is evident by her longevity with the district.

“I have been principal here for 17 years. I’ve been in the district for 28 years and I hope obviously to retire from Brandywine,” said the educator, who has served as principal at Merritt Elementary since 1999. “Brandywine is my home and I intend on staying here in Brandywine.”

Weimer said she starts every day with bus duty so she has time to greet students with a hug and a friendly face as they start their day, and spends many nights per week attending extra-curricular activities to show support for past and current students.

Weckel said he is a dedicated leader with a strong passion for the community, and explained that in the “busy months” he is often in the building 12-13 hours a day six days per week, doing “whatever needs to be done to get the job done,” be it running data analysis on Sundays, attending sporting events and band festivals or watering trees.

“My state of Michigan license plate says ‘BOBCATZ’ — B-O-B-C-A-T-Z,” Weckel said. “I also have a big bobcat on my back window, because when I’m out in the community or anywhere I go, I want people to know who I am and what I’m about.”

 

Experience

Weimer is a Niles High School graduate and earned her master’s degree from Western Michigan University in 1993.

Before becoming principal at Merritt, Weimer taught fifth-grade at Brandywine Elementary School. She is also in charge of the district’s state-funded preschool program, and since the district eliminated the curriculum director position, she has been in charge of Title I and Title III.

Weimer previously served for several months as acting superintendent and interim superintendent during searches for new administrators.

“I just feel [the superintendent position] is a natural step in my career,” Weimer said. “I’ve done some work with the central office in the superintendent capacity, in the assistant superintendent position, and I really enjoyed it.”

Weimer said she has implemented strategic changes at Merritt that have improved student achievement and led the charge in Merritt becoming a Blue Ribbon School, a statewide recognition based on academic achievement.

In 2014, Merritt was named a Focus School, citing a wide achievement gap between the lowest-performing students and the highest-performing students. However, Weimer said she and her staff were empowered by the challenge to get off the state’s list.

“We were embarrassed to be on that list,” she said. “We were named as a Blue Ribbon School and all of a sudden we’re named as being a Focus School, which we looked at as being a failure, and we were angry.”

Weimer said she and her team worked hard to close the gap and were removed from the list.

Weckel graduated from Dowagiac Union High School, is certified to teach all grades from kindergarten through 12th and has a master’s degree in both secondary and elementary educational leadership. Weckel said he earned his superintendent’s endorsement by attending Michigan Leadership Institute’s Leadership Academy and through an organization called Courageous Journey with the Michigan Association of Schools, earned a superintendent endorsement and is a certified superintendent.

Weckel taught seventh grade for five years before becoming middle school principal and later a high school principal in Berrien Springs.

In his seven years in the school district, Weckel said he has led the charge in creating a new master schedule and a number of programs, including an afterschool mentorship program that helps struggling students. Weckel said he also works with many businesses and organization in the school district to create partnerships that help both the school and the community.

“I’ve been a part of all curriculum adoptions, facilitated many professional staff in-services, implemented partnerships with the Berrien RESA, Lake Michigan College, YMCA, Michigan Virtual University, as well as businesses,” Weckel said. “We’ve expanded our CTE offerings, created the Early College Academy and developed blended learning opportunities for our kids.”

 

Next steps

As part of their closing remarks, both Weimer and Weckel said they were honored to be given the opportunity to advance their careers in the district they love.

“I feel that my qualities best fit the candidate profile that was created by the district,” Weimer said. “I know that the board has to choose the person that is best for the district, and I hope you realize I am the best person, the best fit for our district.”

Weckel said his dedication to Brandywine would serve him well as superintendent.

“I am viewed as knowledgeable and extremely approachable by the educational community, but more importantly by our students, our staff and our community,” he said. “It would be an honor to serve as your superintendent.

The board will interview each candidate a second time Monday, July 25, in the Brandywine Middle/High School Media Center. Weckel’s interview will begin at 6 p.m. and Weimer’s will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Board members will have the option to choose one of the candidates, schedule another round of interviews or opt to open applications to people outside the school district.

If Weimer or Weckel are chosen as the next superintendent, he or she will shadow Jarpe during the 2016-17 school year while fulfilling their principal duties.

Jarpe will officially retire in June 2017.