The Goodrich school district is in the midst of a search for a new superintendent, and has narrowed the initial field of candidates down to the final two.

The board is now considering Wayne Wright, superintendent at Birch Run, and Bently Laser, superintendent of Littlefield schools, and whether to make visits to one, or both, of the candidates’ districts to get first-hand impressions of the staffs and schools.

On Monday, the board tabled its decision because two members were absent and President Michael Tripp, rightly so, said he wanted all board members’ input before making a decision.

Only those two candidates shouldn’t necessarily be the final two choices the board considers.
If board members have any trepidation about either candidate — and the board does seem to be divided on the best person for Goodrich’s top position — then perhaps it’s best for the board to begin the search again and hope for a superintendent candidate that fits perfectly with everyone’s expectations.

Claims that the district will be without a superintendent for a year are erroneous, unless Acting Superintendent Larry Allen is in a hurry to leave. Goodrich doesn’t want to rush into a decision that they will regret, leaving it to go through the entire process again in a couple of years when the district’s problems will only be manifested.

Goodrich is a district passionate about its teachers, quality of education, openness between the school leaders and community and, ultimately, who’s going to guide the district and influence these, and other, facets in the district in the years to come.

If the board does decide to hire either Laser or Wright (or a candidate yet to be determined), then the board and the community need to give that person their full support, even if that candidate wasn’t someone’s first choice.

It can be daunting for anyone to embark on a new position, and in a district as zealous — and let’s just say it, sometimes as contentious as Goodrich — about its leadership, the new superintendent will need all the support he or she can get, at least initially.

Residents and Goodrich staff also need to let the board members know how they feel. While the board will work with the new superintendent at its meetings, it’s the staff and parents who will have to seek the superintendent’s advice or support on a daily basis.

Choose a leader with the qualities everyone can embrace.

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