 |
| Dr. Benjamin Edmondson |
Members of the Romulus Board of Education agreed during their Aug. 2 meeting to enter into contract negotiations with Edmondson following weeks of surveys, community feedback and candidate interviews.
The search was facilitated, according to officials, by the Michigan Association of School Boards, a service organization that supports the work of school boards throughout the state.
Edmondson is the former superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools and has an impressive record of establishing community partnerships, raising academic standards and achievement, and increasing enrollment in declining districts, according to a district spokesman.
School board president Edward Martell said he was pleased with the choice for the district.
“Dr. Edmondson has presented an extensive 100-Day plan. I believe he is going to be a great fit for our district and I look forward to working with him to realign, reshape, and re-imagine Romulus Community Schools.”
Edmondson was selected from a field of seven candidates. He has nearly 30 years educational experience as a former teacher, principal, and superintendent. Most recently he served as Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools (YCS), where he was known for his abilities to empower students, mobilize community members, and impact the culture and climate of the Ypsilanti school district and the surrounding community. Prior to his role as superintendent, Edmondson was a principal in Ann Arbor and a teacher in New Jersey.
Edmondson earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University.
He holds a master's degree in educational theory and practice from Ohio State University, and a bachelor's degree in sociology from The University of Virginia.
His selection included community input on the qualities, experiences, and skills needed in the new superintendent. All interested parties were encouraged to participate in the process. An online survey was administered by the MASB Executive Search Service and individual responses were combined with those from the virtual meetings with stakeholders to provide important community input to the Romulus Community Schools Board of Education in developing the superintendent selection criteria, according to a statement from the district.
