Bedford hires its top choice for superintendent

Longtime educator likely to start July 1

4/15/2013

TEMPERANCE — It’s official. Bedford Public Schools has a new superintendent.

The Board of Education last week unanimously approved a three-year contract for Mark Kleinhans, the candidate selected as its top choice during a search this year. He will be paid $130,000 for the 2013-14 school year.

The salary in subsequent years is to be negotiated but will not be less than in the previous year. His starting date is expected to be July 1. If the board does not give 90 days’ notice before the contract’s termination date of its intent not to renew, the contract is considered extended for another year.

Mr. Kleinhans will get health insurance and a taxable $8,000 annual stipend for job-related expenses. The district will pay relocation costs of up to $1,300, provided he opts to live within district boundaries. Mr. Kleinhans, 51, has been superintendent of Montrose Community Schools in Genesee County since 2002. Before that, he was principal of Montrose’s middle school for 10 years.

He will get 24 vacation days a year, earned at a rate of two days a month, and accrue one sick day for each month of employment, up to a maximum of 100. Upon retirement, sick time will be paid at a $75-a-day rate. He will get 12 paid holidays.

He attended the meeting, saying he is “very excited” about the job. He thanked the board and called Bedford a quality district experiencing tough financial times. But he expressed optimism. “We’re going to honor the past and build for the future,” he said.

Board members were confident they had made the right choice.

“This was a very thorough search, and Mr. Kleinhans is definitely the leader we need to have on board,” member Tim Brakel said.

His remark was seconded by Shawna Smith: “I know he’ll be a great asset to our district.”

Mr. Kleinhans replaces Ted Magrum, who retired in September. Jon White, who had a long career with Bedford schools including as superintendent, came out of retirement to serve as interim superintendent for the academic year.

In other action, the board recognized the boys varsity basketball team, the winner of this year’s Southeastern Conference, coach Nick Lowe, and team standout Jackson Lamb, a finalist for Michigan’s Player of the Year award.

Mr. Lowe called the players “a great representation of what Bedford schools stand for.” Mr. White commended the team for an average grade point average of 3.62.

The board also recognized Cole Ellsworth, a freshman who set several Bedford High swimming records and the cheerleading team, which finished second in the district.

Also honored were Regina Whalen and Amy Driehorst, two mothers who led a fund-raising drive that sought unsuccessfully to raise money to keep a school resource officer; Lynette Donbrosky, a high school custodian who identified a thief who had stolen band instruments; retired Bedford Township fire Chief John Bofia, for his service; township Supervisor Greg Stewart, who helped arrange for Bedford deputies to patrol the schools; Rick Beauch, an employee who donated a kidney for transplant, and Sandy Kraine, district marketing and communications officer, for her service.