Following the last round of interviews yesterday night, the Sandusky School Board of Education has selected longtime educator Kurt Dennis as the next superintendent.
Dennis has been with Bad Axe Schools since 2001, starting as a chemistry and science teacher before moving up to the high school principal role in 2014. While at Bad Axe, he also led the girl’s basketball team to their first district championship since 1980, as their coach.
The hiring brings an end to the superintendent search process, a 13-week affair beginning in April that included community surveys, receiving applications and first and second interviews. The process began after the Sandusky board chose not to renew former Sandusky superintendent Paul Flynn’s contract due to some community controversy and dissatisfaction, with Flynn going on to be hired as Coldwater School District’s new superintendent. He started his duties at the beginning of this month.
For the interim superintendent, the school board tapped Jeff Hartel, former Cass City Schools superintendent, who began his duties on June 6 of this year. It is not clear if Hartel will be relieved of his duties at the end of this month to allow for the transition period and training for Dennis to begin, or how the district will handle next steps.
Also considered at Tuesday night’s special meeting were Kingston High School Principal Mike Seaman and Capac Superintendent Jeff Terpenning.
