Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) board members narrowed the pool of applicants for the district’s open superintendent position from 26 to five Tuesday night. Ahead of the first round of candidate interviews March 10, 11 and 16 (which will be televised and public), we take a closer look at the five finalists – and the board’s first impressions of each.

Dr. Susan Miko – Executive Director of Toledo Sister Cities International
Background: Miko has spent the last three years as the executive director of nonprofit Toledo Sister Cities International. She previously worked 11 years as superintendent at both Patrick Henry Local School District and Gorham-Fayette Local School District in Ohio. She has more than two decades of experience as a teacher and principal and served as an adjunct professor at Bowling Green State University, where she received her Ph.D in educational administration.

In Her Own Words: “I am a firm believer that our educational system must prepare our learners to compete in a global society,” Miko writes in her application. “As educators, we need to help (students) develop the skills necessary to self-instruct.” Miko also believes that “school districts need to be transparent and committed to keeping the community well informed.”

Board Impressions: Scott Hardy describes Miko as a “valuable addition to the (interview) pool” and an “excellent candidate.” President Gary Appel says Miko has “the kind of background and success” that will make her a competitive applicant, but notes the districts she ran previously are “smaller than would be ideal.” Megan Crandall believes Miko’s global experience could benefit TCAPS’ international initiatives, but agrees “the difference in size of districts and scope of responsibilities is significant.”

Sander Scott – Associate Superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS
Background: One of two internal candidates, Scott worked his way up from elementary school principal to chief of schools to associate superintendent since joining TCAPS in 2004. He previously served as middle school principal for Kingsley Area Schools and Oscoda Area Schools. He holds master’s degrees in educational administration from Central Michigan University and curriculum and teaching from Michigan State University and is enrolled to receive an MBA from Davenport University.

In His Own Words: “I have devoted my professional life to serving students and families, to building supportive learning communities for students and teachers, and to building cultures of continuous improvement for all school employees,” says Scott. He hopes to leverage his business background and community relationships to “not only accelerate improvement for TCAPS, but to have a greater impact on the entire region.”

Board Impressions: Hardy says Scott has shown “exemplary performance” during his time at TCAPS, calling the candidate a “collaborative team member.” Appel and Doris Ellery also like his experience in a variety of district roles, while Crandall calls him a “well-rounded candidate.” The board’s challenge with both internal candidates: ensuring their experience and skills objectively measure up to the competitive standards set for external candidates. “We’re trying our best to consider everyone on an even scale,” Crandall says.

Dr. Keith Smith – Superintendent of Kingsley Area Schools
Background: Smith joined Kingsley Area Schools as superintendent in 2011, relocating from the Clio Area Schools district where he served as high school principal for five years. He was also a principal at Memphis Community Schools for three years and has a Ph.D in K-12 educational administration from Michigan State University.

In His Own Words: “Living and working in the area has allowed me to become quite familiar with TCAPS,” writes Smith. “I understand your strengths (providing a variety of quality educational programs, educating your top students and branding) and your weaknesses (relationships with the media, educating your lower performing students and overall student achievement).”

Board Impressions: As TCAPS works to improve its student academic performance, Kelly Clark remarks positively on the fact Smith comes from “a district that’s been recognized for academic achievement.” Doris Ellery agrees Smith’s background could lend itself to improving “academic issues” in the district. Crandall notes TCAPS is six times larger than Kingsley and that Kingsley outsources many of its services, a “totally different alignment” that could potentially be a mismatch with TCAPS. But Smith’s references “stood out” to Crandall, she says.

Paul Soma, Interim Superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS)
Background: Soma was in public education for a decade before joining TCAPS in 2002. In the ensuing years, he has progressed from chief financial officer to CFO/chief operating officer to associate superintendent of finance and operations to interim superintendent. He’s enrolled in a master’s degree program in educational leadership at Grand Valley State University.

In His Own Words: “My skills, the relationships I have developed with staff and the community, and my deep understanding of and passion for TCAPS all combine to make me the best choice for superintendent of TCAPS,” says Soma. The candidate counts among his achievements his “development of a long-term comprehensive capital plan" for the district, implementation of the Learning, Enrichment and Athletic Program (LEAP) and ongoing advocacy for equitable state school funding.

Board Impressions: Sue Kelly believes “it’s important that we’re looking at candidates that have superintendent-type experience and background” as well as “experience with the size of district that we have” – two reasons she supports interviewing Soma. Crandall says the TCAPS leader has “taken on more and responsibility during the (eight years) I’ve been on the board” and has a “range of experience in different specialties.” She says Soma “would be the first” to acknowledge a need to improve on district curriculum issues, but says he's already started down that path.

Ronald J. Webber, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services at Novi Community School District
Background: Webber has served in his current capacity as assistant superintendent of academic services at the Novi Community School District since 2010. Previously, he was both assistant principal and principal at multiple schools in South Lyon Community Schools for a decade. He holds a master’s in public administration from the University of Michigan Dearborn.

In His Own Words: “In viewing the TCAPS strategic plan, it is evident that TCAPS is committed to serving each child,” says Webber. “As such, it is an organization that I believe fits my own life-long commitment to public education.” In addition to having “deep familiarity” with Traverse City due to family ties, Webber says his teaching background and past five years as an assistant superintendent have prepared him to handle leading a district with “humility and will.”

Board Impressions: Webber comes from a “very large district that has a record of high achievement” and also has “good experience at various levels,” says Appel. Erik Falconer thought his “answers on the alignment with the strategic plan were on point.” Crandall, who says Webber is “someone I would think of more as a traditional candidate,” notes that “Novi is more closely aligned to our (district) size, so it’s more of a fair equivalence.” The board, however, doesn’t “know as much about him,” Crandall says. “So it will be interesting to actually hear from him (during interviews)."