Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Candidate Interviews Continue Tonight

The two remaining candidates for Royal Oak schools superintendent are scheduled to be interviewed by the Board of Education tonight at the .

The schedule for tonight includes a 6:15 p.m. interview with , superintendent of schools, Manchester Community School District;  and 7:45 p.m. interview with , superintendent of New Lothrop Area Public Schools. The meeting is open to the public.

Three candidates were interviewed Monday night to replace Superintendent Thomas Moline, who retires in June: , assistant superintendent of Instructional Services for Farmington Public Schools; , assistant superintendent/executive director for human resources of Birmingham Public Schools, and , superintendent for Romulus Community Schools.

Here's a recap of what they had to say:

• Cost said she applied for the Royal Oak position because she believes she can make a difference as a superintendent and the Royal Oak school district is a good fit for her. Cost has experience in the budgeting process and limited experience with collective bargaining. Cost, who lives in Northville,  said she would spend her first days on the job engaging in the community and meeting with Moline, board members, parent organizations and school personnel.
• Dean said his committment to relationships and student achievement, which he feels mirrors the district's intent, is one of the reasons he is pursuing the superintendent's position in Royal Oak. Dean has experience in the budgeting process and with collective bargaining. The Grosse Pointe Woods resident said he would spend his first days on the job following a 90-day entry plan he had written and passed out to Board of Education members and the audience.
• Weiss told the board he wants the Royal Oak job because he is looking for a capstone experience and a district with a different set of challenges. The Rochester Hills resident said the spirit and community involvement in Royal Oak makes him think he would be a good match for superintendent. Weiss has experience in the budgeting process and with collective bargaining. He said he would spend his first days on the job following a 90-day plan, which would be well researched and ready to go on his first day on the job.

Board of Education members agreed on the five finalists during a special meeting March 31 after reviewing 32 applications for the position. 

Marie Miller, adjunct consultant for the Michigan Association of School Boards, which was hired by the district to conduct the search, said the board will determine its next steps after the completion of the first round of interviews tonight. A second round of superintendent candidate interviews are scheduled for April 20 and 21, if needed.