Dearborn Public Schools chief poised to become next state superintendent

Michigan’s State Board of Education selected Dearborn Public Schools superintendent Glenn Maleyko as next state education leader
The board will begin negotiations with Maleyko for a salary and contract length before he’s formally appointed on Sept. 9
Maleyko prevailed over 33 candidates, including seven who were publicly interviewed

Dearborn Public Schools superintendent Glenn Maleyko is poised to become Michigan’s 45th superintendent of public instruction.

The State Board of Education agreed 5-3 on Tuesday to offer a contract to Maleyko, who has served as Dearborn’s superintendent since 2015. He was one of three finalists interviewed to become the principal executive officer of the Michigan Department of Education, which serves 1.4 million public school students in traditional and charter schools.

Maleyko previously was a director, principal, assistant principal, teacher and substitute teacher in the district serving nearly 20,000 students.

Board President Pamela Pugh said that Maleyko has “a vast number of (experiences) from all different corners of life.”

“He can come in and work with a diverse sector of groups and stakeholders,” Pugh said.

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Many appreciate his leadership style, and he has had experience in pushing special education programming in neighboring districts, Pugh added. Additionally, she said she believed that he understands the importance of moving forward on literacy issues in the state.

“I really appreciated his passion around public education as an entity,” added Ellen Cogen Lipton, co-vice president of the board. “In a state where 90% of our students are going to public schools, I think having someone who’s really an advocate and a believer in the power of public education is really important.”

Casting dissenting votes were board members Tom McMillin, R-Oakland Township, Mitchell Robinson, D-Okemos, and Nikki Snyder, R-Goodrich.

Maleyko will be formally appointed by the board on Sept. 9 following a contract negotiation and background check.

If appointed, Maleyko will succeed Michael Rice, the current state superintendent who announced earlier this year that he would retire in October after leading the department since 2019.

Maleyko’s salary has not been negotiated but the job posting said the position would pay up to $272,000 annually, along with a state benefit package, according to Bob Wheaton, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Education. Rice currently earns $264,244.

Exactly when Maleyko will begin his post has not yet been negotiated. But Rice’s last day is Oct. 3. The board is hoping the new superintendent will be able to start on Oct. 4 to avoid an interim superintendent, Wheaton said.

Michael Rice standing in front of books — Current state superintendent Michael Rice is slated to retire in October. He’s led the Michigan Department of Education since 2019. (Courtesy of Michigan Department of Education)

Maleyko prevailed among a pool of 33 candidates, narrowed to seven semifinalists and then to three finalists that included Judy Walton, superintendent of Harrison Community Schools and Lisa Coons, former Virginia superintendent of public instruction.

Over several days of interviews, candidates addressed a myriad of questions from board members on issues that included literacy, equity, graduation rates, school safety, special education and school choice.

During his interview, Maleyko said that “listening, learning, relationship building (would be) a theme in the beginning.”

“I’d be able to hit the ground running because of my time in Michigan, my 30 year experience and the relationships that I’ve already built. However, those networks and relationships, I’d have to enhance …,” said Maleyko. “I’d be looking for the strengths, challenges, next steps and opportunities. … I’m very visible in schools, in the trenches, knowing what’s going on. I make well over 400 school visits a year. I believe that getting with the staff, with the students, is very important.”

As the process moves forward, board Treasurer Marshall Bullock II suggested to fellow board members to leave “personal politics at the door, and we meet in the middle about making sure we succeed for the children of this state, for the families of this state, then we will have a better outcome and a better process and better success moving forward for our school system.”

“We should come back with a new outlook, with our new leader, and making sure that we are all successful and how we move the state forward,” Bullock said.

Challenges ahead

Maleyko faces several potential challenges, between looming budget uncertainty, helping districts raise student literacy skills and building trust among school districts.

The board is aiming to have Maleyko start Oct. 4, which could coincide with more state budget uncertainty. The House, Senate and governor have failed to reach a state budget deal, blowing past a July 1 deadline set in law.

If the parties do not reach an agreement by Oct. 1, the state government will shut down. Rice has repeatedly called for lawmakers to pass a budget. His successor may be doing the same.

MDE is also responsible for distributing grant funds to school districts once a budget is passed. In recent years, this has included funds for employee student loan payments, school safety efforts and literacy training.

Lawmakers passed two bipartisan laws last year aimed at improving how schools teach literacy skills. The laws will require schools to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and provide evidence-based literacy instruction. Plus, educator preparation programs will be required to train future teachers on dyslexia and other items. The law also makes specific requirements of MDE.

The next superintendent will also be leading and navigating the Trump administration’s plan to abolish the US Department of Education. Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats agree there should be good career and technical education options for schools. Advocates continue their lobbying for improving access to higher education.

Additionally, the new superintendent will lead the state education department as school districts adopt new curricula and teacher professional development aimed at improving student literacy.

Education researchers and advocates also have long argued that the state is underfunding its schools, plus the state superintendent will have to navigate the political tensions of the job while also working to earn the trust of districts.

The superintendent is the chair of the State Board of Education but does not vote. The board currently has six Democrats and two Republicans. The members are determined in statewide elections and have eight-year terms.