The next superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools could be chosen next week by the board of education. Trustees on Monday interviewed four candidates for the job, and then voted to bring back two for additional interviews next Monday. Now in the running for the position of district superintendent are current Interim Superintendent Patricia Robinson and Wayne-Westland Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Andrae Townsel. Benton Harbor Area Schools Trustee Patricia Rush said Patricia Robinson has served the district well as a home grown acting superintendent.
“She has all the qualifications, and has really earned this position,” Rush said.
In addition to working as assistant superintendent at Wayne-Westland Schools in metro Detroit, Townsel has been a high school principal at Southbridge Public Schools in Massachusetts. Rush said he brings excitement to the field.
“I thought he was great. I thought he was inspirational. He has a lot of experience.”
The vote to bring back Robinson for another interview was four to three, while the vote to bring back Townsel was seven to nothing. Next Monday’s final interviews will be at the Benton Harbor High School library at 6 p.m. The board could select the new superintendent at that meeting.
