The Wayland Union School system has a new superintendent. To nobody’s surprise, the Board of Education Tuesday night offered the position to Tim Reeves, current superintendent at Shelby.
Reeves accepted the offer of $151,000 in salary, a 3 percent annuity and a bonus of $2500 for a highly effective evaluation by the board next year and $1500 for an effective one.
He was one of four candidates who interviewed Friday night and was the last man standing as of Tuesday after the other remaining candidate withdrew.
Reeves succeeds Dr. Christina Hinds, who will leave her post June 30 to accept the deputy superintendency at Grand Rapids Northview. Her last day in the office will be June 17, but Reeves may come in early for a few days to hit the ground running for the crucial bond request in the Aug. 2 primary election.
Dr. Hinds was hired two years ago at an annual salary of $135,000, but it was her first superintendent’s job. Reeves has four and a half years experience at Shelby and the Michigan Association of School Boards consultant pointed out that the school chief’s job in Hastings brought in $161,000, in Otsego $187,000 and in Hopkins $165,000.
The new superintendent, during his second interview with board members Tuesday evening, insisted that he has no plans to go elsewhere after Wayland.
“Wayland for me is a destination district,” he said.
Reeves has been an administrator at Hamilton, Kelloggsville and Shelby and has nearly 25 years invested in the education field.
The new superintendent characterized his management style as collaborative and reflective and his references called him calm and a good listener.
He said, “I would listen to what the collective wish if from the board, staff and the community.”
All of the board members said they were impressed with comments from sources they contacted about his performance. In one case, a colleague praised his professional handling of the firing of a principal at Shelby.
Reeves said he believes the school district must be ready, willing and able to adapt to the many changes that confront it.
About 20 citizens attended the interview and some even asked questions. One student asked how he would ensure that all students can get a quality education, to which replied he would try to remove all barriers.
Board members were asked about what they want in a new superintendent. Trustee Teresa Dobry said, “I would like to see some one able to make bold decisions, whether they’re popular or not.”
Janel Timmerman-Hott added, “We’ve been through a rough two years. Everyone has.”
When the motion was made to hire Reeves, Treasurer Toni Ordway commented, “I think he’s a good fit for us” and spearheaded the discussion about how to get him on board early, perhaps being paid on a per diem basis.
