West Michigan Education Research and Development Foundation Chosen to Lead Superintendent Search for Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools
April 1, 2024
[Galesburg, Michigan] – After 7 years of dedicated service, Superintendent Wendy Somers has announced her retirement effective June 30, 2024. The Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection of the West Michigan Education Research and Development Foundation to conduct the search for the district's next superintendent. The decision was made after careful consideration of three highly qualified firms, with the unanimous agreement that the West Michigan Education Research and Development Foundation possesses the expertise and resources necessary to assist in identifying the best candidate to lead our district into the future.
Led by Mr. Chris Rice, who recently served as GACS interim superintendent, the West Michigan Education Research and Development Foundation is committed to excellence in educational leadership recruitment and its deep understanding of the unique needs and priorities of school districts across the region. While a relatively new player in the superintendent search business, the Board believes that Mr. Rice’s 8 years experience as a Superintendent, vast professional network, and knowledge of the specific needs at GACS make him and his foundation a great fit.
"As we embark on this important journey to select the next superintendent of Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools, we are confident that partnering with the West Michigan Education Research and Development Foundation will ensure a thorough and comprehensive search," said Jessica Eberstein, President of the Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Board of Education. "Their dedication to finding exceptional leaders who share our vision for student success aligns perfectly with our goals for the district."
The superintendent search process will include opportunities for input from stakeholders throughout the community. To gather feedback on the desired qualities and characteristics of the next superintendent, the Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Board of Education invites all stakeholders to participate in a brief survey. Your input will be invaluable in shaping the search process and identifying candidates who will best serve our students, staff, and community.
Additionally, we invite all interested individuals to join the search firm for an in-person forum to provide important input that will be used to construct the candidate profile.
Community Forums - Tuesday, April 9 - GAHS Library
3:45pm - Teachers and Staff
5:00pm - Community
6:00pm - Board
The West Michigan Education Research and Development Foundation will work closely with the Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Board of Education to conduct a thorough and transparent search process. Updates and announcements regarding the superintendent search will be shared with the community as the process unfolds.
For more information and to stay informed about the superintendent search, please visit the Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools website at https://www.g-aschools.org/.