Superintendent Search
Welcome Dr. Bernia!
The Board of Education has chosen John Bernia, Ed.D. as Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ new superintendent. Dr. Bernia and the Board will now begin contract negotiations.
Superintendent Search Discussion - September 8
Superintendent Search Discussion
- September 8, 2022 - Board of Education Regular Meeting: The Board of Education will continue tabled discussion regarding the superintendent search finalists and possibly decide on a selection. The tabled discussion from September 7th will begin following the business portion of the meeting.
If you are unable to attend the September 8, 2022 Board of Education meeting, you can watch via the live stream below. Click here for a direct link.
Individual Finalist Interviews - September 7
John Bernia, Ed.D. - Chief Academic Officer, Warren Consolidated Schools
Michael Lonze, Ph.D. - Interim Superintendent, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Shawn Shackelford, M.A., J.D. - Executive Director of Student Services and Diversity, Port Huron Area School District
Individual First Round Interviews - August 23-24
John Bernia, Ed.D. - Chief Academic Officer, Warren Consolidated Schools
Kenneth Janczarek, M.A. - Director of Special Programs, Clarkston Community Schools
Catherine Kochanski, M.A. - Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Michael Lonze, Ph.D. - Interim Superintendent, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Shawn Shackelford, M.A., J.D. - Executive Director of Student Services and Diversity, Port Huron Area School District
Letter from the WLCSD Board of Education
Letter from the WLCSD Board of Education
Dear Walled Lake Consolidated Schools' Community,
The Board of Education knows that hiring a superintendent is one of the most important tasks that we do. We are committed to finding the best person for the job and invite you to be a part of the process.
We encourage all stakeholders to provide feedback during our superintendent search process. There will be numerous opportunities for each of you to meet with our contracted search firm representative, Mr. Jay Bennett of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), to share what skills, abilities, and characteristics we should be looking for in our next superintendent. Your feedback will play an extremely important role in the search process.
I want to ensure you that we will conduct a search that is transparent and, most importantly, includes the families, students, staff, and every member of the Walled Lake Consolidated School District community.
Best,
Christopher Titus
President, Walled Lake Consolidated School District Board of Education
Information and updates related to our superintendent search process will be posted to this page regularly.
Superintendent Search Timeline
Future items listed in the timeline below are subject to change and will be updated as quickly and efficiently as possible.
- June 14, 2022 - Board of Education Special Meeting: The Board of Education met to review presentations from two different organizations applying to conduct the search for the District's next Superintendent of Schools. The Board selected Michigan Association of School Boards to conduct the search.
- June 17, 2022 - Stakeholder survey shared with community: Staff, families and community members received link to MASB's Superintendent Search Survey.
- June 23, 2022 - Board of Education Special Meeting: The Board of Education met to discuss the Superintendent Search planning process & timeline as presented by the Michigan Association of School Boards Executive Search Services.
- June 27, 2022 - Superintendent vacancy posted to MASB website
- June 27, 2022 - Stakeholder Input Meetings shared with community
- July 13, 2022 - Stakeholder survey closed: MASB's Superintendent Search Survey closed at 5 pm. on July 13, 2022.
- July 14, 2022 - Board of Education Special Meeting: The Board of Education met with the MASB to discuss stakeholder input and develop selection criteria.
- August 9, 2022 - Superintendent job posting closed: Applications needed to submit applications prior to 4 p.m. on August 9, 2022.
- August 12, 2022 - Board of Education received access to candidate materials.
- August 18, 2022 - Board of Education Special Meeting: The Board of Education met to prepare for superintendent interviews, including the development of interview questions and the selection of interview candidates.
UPDATE - MASB Press Release: First Round Candidates Selected - 8/23/22
UPDATE - MASB Press Release - Walled Lake Schools Update Announcement for First Round Interviews for Superintendency - 8/22/22
MASB Presentation - Superintendent Interview Prep Workshop - 8/19/22
MASB Press Release - Walled Lake Consolidated Schools Select Six Candidates for First Round Interviews for Superintendency - 8/19/22
- August 23-24, 2022 - Board of Education Special Meeting: The Board of Education hosted candidates for first round interviews for the position of superintendent at Walled Lake Consolidated School District..
- POSTPONED -
August 29, 2022 - Superintendent Search Finalists Meet and Greet:Stakeholders from across the District are invited to meet the three finalists for the position of superintendent in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District on Monday, Aug. 29 from 7-8pm at the Educational Services Center (850 Ladd Road, Building D, Walled Lake).
POSTPONED: August 30, 2022 - Board of Education Special Meeting: The Board of Education will host finalist interviews and possibly decide on a selection that evening. Finalists will also be visiting the District during the day prior to evening interviews.- September 6, 2022 - Superintendent Search Finalists Meet and Greet: Stakeholders from across the District were invited to meet the three finalists for the position of superintendent at Walled Lake Consolidated School District.
- September 7, 2022 - Board of Education Special Meeting: The Board of Education hosted finalist interviews for the position of superintendent at Walled Lake Consolidated School District.
- September 8, 2022 - Board of Education Regular Meeting: The Board of Education continued tabled discussion regarding the superintendent search finalists and chose John Bernia, Ed.D., as Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ new superintendent. Contract negotiations begin between Dr. Bernia and the Board of Education.
- September 2022 - Superintendent on Site