MERIDIAN TWP. — Okemos Public Schools named its two superintendent finalists after completing the first round of public interviews.
Perry Public Schools Superintendent Lori Haven and Matt Olson, assistant superintendent of the Northwest Education Services in Traverse City, are the two candidates invited for final interviews.
The interviews are tentatively scheduled for March 17, and will include a community meet and greet, building tours and a public interview with the board.
From Feb. 23 to Feb. 25, the Okemos school board interviewed six candidates, including Haven and Olson.
According to a statement from the district, the interviews, which were recorded, will be available on the Okemos superintendent search webpage starting Friday, Feb. 27. The candidates resumes and portfolios will be available online as well.
Haven has been the Perry superintendent since 2019. Before that, she worked with DeWitt Public Schools as a director of curriculum for four years, and a principal for seven years, according to her LinkedIn profile. Haven was a finalist for the superintendent position at Haslett Public Schools in 2024 as well.
Olson has worked for Northwest Education Services since July 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to his time in Traverse City, he worked as superintendent of Benzie County Central Schools for four years. He served as a principal in Lapeer Community Schools and Holly Area Schools as well.
The two finalists were selected out of an initial applicant pool of 21 people. The Michigan Leadership Institute was selected to lead the search for a new superintendent.
Superintendent John Hood announced his retirement on Nov. 11 after spending more than 30 years with the district. His last day is scheduled for March 25, and he has served as district superintendent since 2019.
After Hood leaves the district, Assistant Superintendent Stacy Bailey will fill in as interim superintendent “as needed,” according to a statement from Okemos school board President Tom Buffett.
Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Okemos Public Schools selects two finalists for superintendent position
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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