Manchester Community Schools to hire interim superintendent

School board president Chris Fegan praises Superintendent Vannatter for her service to the district, as the board prepares to vote on her resignation.

The school board officially accepted Superintendent Cherie Vannatter’s resignation at the regularly scheduled school board meeting last Monday night. Vannatter’s last day will be July 14th.

After cake and praise for her service, the school board discussed how to proceed in the search for a new superintendent. The decision was made to hire an interim superintendent in the next few weeks. The executive committee consisting of board members Fegan and Rebecca Harvey will contact local retired superintendents.

WISD superintendent Scott Menzel has agreed to help with the search and with creating a contract for the interim hire. The board discussed but made no decision whether or not to hire Michigan Association of School Boards or a similar organization to assist with the search for the permanent position. These services would cost $10,000 to $12,000. Board members wanted to be sure that what value they would get for the money would be specifically spelled out before any decision is made.

The hope is that an interim can be in place in the next few weeks. Once the interim is in place, the next steps will be decided on in the search for a permanent superintendent. Vannatter reassured the board that she isn’t severing all ties with the district. "I won’t leave someone hanging! I will come back after the 17th and always be available by phone.”

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.