Six candidates for Grand Haven Area Public School (GHAPS) superintendent will be interviewed by the Board of Education at Griffin Elementary School on April 16 and 17 at 6 PM. Each candidate is allotted 60 minutes and will be asked the same questions. The interviews are open to the public and attendees will be given the opportunity to give input through provided forms.
Who are the candidates?
Jennifer Herbstreit
Education: Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching from Marygrove College in Detroit in 2000, Education Specialist Leadership degree from the University of Michigan-Flint in 2013
Current Position, Location and Years: Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Holly Area Schools, MI, 6 years
Size of Current School District: 3,100 students
Of note:
Interviewed in 2023 for Meridian and Grosse Pointe superintendent positions
Is leading a design team for her district’s new middle school and has collaborated on two successful bond elections
Worked in four school districts; entire career in education
Raphael Rittenhouse
Education: Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Michigan in 1991, Masters in Education Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 1997
Current Position, Location and Years**: Superintendent, Gull Lake Community Schools, MI, 5 years (**Resigned)
Size of Current School District: 3,194 students
Of note:
Resigned unexpectedly from Gull Lake on March 18, 2024
Oversaw a $64 million bond project
Jay Bennett, the MASB consultant hired to conduct the GHAPS superintendent search, was involved in the hiring of Rittenhouse for Gull Lake
Signed a joint statement from Kalamazoo area superintendents on following strict Covid mandates and the district was sued by a local parent group for allegedly breaking state law
Worked in five school districts; entire career in education; background in music
John Denney
Education: Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University in 2003, Education Specialist degree from Siena Heights University in 2011
Current Position, Location and Years: Superintendent, Hanover-Horton School District, MI, 11 years
Size of Current School District: 1,067 students
Of note:
Resigning from current position at the end of the 2023-24 school year, been in same district for 14 years, his last child is graduating this year and unsure what his future holds
18 mil bond for non-homestead millage was defeated in his district in May 2023, two more attempts were added to the ballot in February 2024 with one failing and one passing
Public allegations that he did not administer stringent enough reporting policies for sexual assault or misconduct
Worked in five school districts
Scott Smith
Education: Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University in 1995, Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership at Grand Valley State University in 2010
Current Position, Location and Years: Superintendent, Cedar Springs Public Schools, MI, 6 years
Size of Current School District: 3,341 students
Of note:
When hired at Cedar Springs, he cited being a listener as the key to repairing division between the school district and community
Passed a $68 million bond in 2020
Interviewed for Holland Public School superintendent in 2021
Worked in four school districts; entire career in education
Hosts unique student connection events by playing Mario Kart and other competitions with students via school YouTube channel
Jason Reinecke
Education: Master of Science in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University in 2007
Current Position, Location and Years: Assistant Superintendent of Human Services, Grand Haven Area Public Schools, MI, 2 years
Size of Current School District: 5,533
Of note:
Already works in the district as a Human Services leader
Replaced Brian Wheeler as GHAPS Assistant Superintendent following his guilty plea
Worked in three school districts, including out-of-state
Entire career in education
Kristin Perkowski
Education: Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University in 2000, Educational Technology Certification from Michigan State University in 2009
Current Position, Location and Years: Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Traverse City Area Public Schools, MI, 1.5 years
Size of Current School District: 8,908 students
Of note:
Previous position was in Caledonia
Interviewed for Kent County ISD assistant superintendent in 2022
Worked in seven school districts
Retired Major from the Army and Air National Guard
The superintendent search community survey showed the majority of respondents want the next superintendent to have superintendent experience and be from outside the school district. The community also highly desires a superintendent with expertise in budget development, public relations, and the personal characteristics of honesty, ethical behavior, and transparency.
The next step in the process will be for the board to have the final round of interviews around April 23rd, and the selected candidate is expected to begin working around July 1, 2024.