Carl Shultz named new Bedford Schools superintendent

11/13/2017

LAMBERTVILLE — The Bedford Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to hire Carl Shultz to fill its superintendent vacancy.

Mr. Shultz has been serving as deputy superintendent at Fitzgerald Schools in Warren, Mich. He interviewed and visited the Bedford district Nov. 6. Mr. Shultz was not present at the special board meeting Monday.

Multiple board members spoke highly of their experiences interviewing Mr. Shultz and those who have worked with him.

“You could see the excitement and the passion he had,” board President Ron Koch said. “It wasn't just his job, it was clearly something he got excited about. That kind of leader can be very beneficial.”

Board member Jenna Biggs was part of the trip to Fitzgerald Schools for Mr. Shultz’s site visit. She came away with a positive impression.

“At the site visit, his secretary gave me a hug and started crying because she didn't want him to leave,” Ms. Biggs said. “He was very respectful. Not necessarily a yes man, but that's a good thing. He was awesome.”

About a dozen people attended the meeting.

The board also established a committee Monday to determine Mr. Shultz’s salary. Former Superintendent Mark Kleinhains’ 2016 salary was $130,000, according to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy's Michigan state employee salary database.

The other finalist was Joseph Perrera, the superintendent at Whittemore-Prescott Schools in Whittemore, Mich. He interviewed and visited the Bedford district Nov. 2.

Assistant Superintendent Mark French, who was appointed interim superintendent in July, was given an interview, but did not make the cut for the final two. Other candidates who did not receive a second interview were Richard Klee, director of curriculum at Crestwood Schools in Dearborn Heights, Mich., and Richard Carsten, superintendent at Ida Schools in Ida, Mich.

Mr. Kleinhans retired as Bedford’s superintendent at the end of July after 33 years in education. He was named to that post in 2013.

Contact Jay Skebba at jskebba@theblade.com, 419-376-9414, or on Twitter @JaySkebbaBlade.