RC principal?s bid for assistant super job in Hillman falls short

It was a close decision, according to Hillman interim superintendent Tom Harmon, as the Hillman Area Schools Board of Education voted to offer the assistant superintendent position to Cadillac Middle School principal Jack Richards. The Hillman board scheduled a special meeting Monday to decide between Richards and Deborah Jones, Rogers City Area Schools K-12 principal. Harmon said the board felt comfortable offering the job to either of the final two candidates. A committee of two board members conducted site visits in Rogers City and Cadillac the last couple of weeks, with board members ultimately choosing Richards on a 6-0 vote. The seventh board member, Mary Ann Hunt, abstained because Richards is her son.

Jones wished to withhold any comment until she was officially notified by school officials in Hillman. Jones had not received word of the decision as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. Based on media reports, she was aware of the decision. ?I?m okay with that,? Jones said. She reiterated her thoughts from the week before saying she enjoys her job in Rogers City, but still will seek a superintendent?s position.

WHILE HARMON said the qualifications of the candidates created a ?close race,? and both Richards and Jones had their strong points, Richards received the nod in a couple of important areas. Harmon said the board recognized Richards? experience in contract talks and in the area of technology. Serving as an athletic director and principal gave Richards more experience as an administrator. The new assistant superintendent also

will serve as the high school athletic director. Both candidates were active in their respective communities, Harmon said, and had strong educational backgrounds. While the candidates both were active with the students, this is an area Jones was stronger in, board members believed.

HARMON SAID the leadership qualities differed, but both seemed to get the job done. ?It was extremely close,? Harmon said of the decision by the board. Now the Hillman school board will begin negotiations on a new contract with its top candidate. Jones has been the K-12 principal in Rogers City for a little more than 10 months.

Late last month, board members in Rogers City interviewed Jones for the interim superintendent position in Rogers City. After interviewing Jones and Paul Mancine, former Alcona Community Schools superintendent, it was decided that the board should enter into negotiations with Mancine. In the meantime, the Rogers City school board continues to explore the possibility of sharing a superintendent with the Posen Consolidated Schools.