photo by: Journal-World

The Lawrence school board will meet on Monday at the school district offices, 110 McDonald Dr.

At the Lawrence school board’s meeting on Monday, an educator from Michigan who faced controversy in her previous job is expected to be formally hired for the district’s interim superintendent role.

The school board is expected to consider a contract for Jeanice Swift, a former superintendent with Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan, for the yearlong interim superintendent job. Earlier this week, Swift was announced as the district’s choice out of the three finalists for the role.

If the contract is approved as expected, it will run from Aug. 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and Swift will be paid a salary of $194,482.08. Deputy Superintendent Larry Englebrick, who was one of the finalists for the interim superintendent job, would act as superintendent until Aug. 30.

As the Journal-World reported, Swift was selected despite the apparently embattled end to her job in Ann Arbor, where, according to Michigan media reports, she resigned in December 2023 after the school board there had initiated termination proceedings. Swift told the Journal-World that members of the Lawrence school board were aware of this situation.

It’s not entirely clear what led to the resignation, but Lawrence district spokeswoman Julie Boyle previously told the Journal-World that it was not connected to an incident in 2020 in which a second-grader with special needs was assaulted by a bus aide in the Ann Arbor district. Allegations that this incident was not properly addressed eventually led to a lawsuit, which is ongoing.

Swift has been in education for 36 years, including 10 years as superintendent in Ann Arbor.

In other business, school board members will:

• Consider appointing Janice Dunn as acting board clerk and executive assistant to the interim superintendent while the hiring process for a permanent superintendent is underway. The position will help ensure the continued smooth operation of the school board’s administrative functions, according to the school board’s meeting agenda.

• Consider the approval of a continued agreement with Morgan Hunter Education LLC to provide substitute teachers and approve rates for substitute teachers in the district.

Morgan Hunter Education LLC collaborates with school districts to provide and oversee certified substitute teachers. Those services include recruitment, background checks and payroll management. According to the school board agenda, schools can ensure a dependable and qualified group of substitutes through this organization, helping to maintain consistent classroom instruction during teacher absences.

Last year, daily pay rates were set at $135, with long-term substitutes earning $160 per day. The administration suggests maintaining these rates for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Hear a report focusing on the district’s several programs to help students maintain academic progress and learn new skills during their summer break. According to the meeting agenda, these summer learning programs are meant to help prevent the “summer slide,” where students lose academic skills and knowledge during the break.

• Consider $2,430,000 worth of contracts for a variety of special education services for students with disabilities in order to meet the needs of documented students’ individual education plans.

The board will also meet for two executive sessions during the meeting to discuss personnel matters, with Swift invited to be present. There may be possible action to follow after both executive sessions.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at the district offices, 110 McDonald Drive. The meeting will also be available via the school district’s YouTube channel. Residents who want to share comments with the board may sign up in advance by emailing PublicComment@usd497.org by 6 p.m. Monday and may participate in person or via Webex video/phone conferencing.