Superintendent search timeline set, community input now open

The Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education has sketched out the timeline for the search for a new superintendent. The process will open with the chance for the public to offer input on what they would like to see in the next leader of the third largest school district in Michigan -  in person meetings on February 5 and survey open until February 16.

On Jan. 27, 2026, the Board of Education met with representatives from the Michigan Leadership Institute to talk in more detail about how the superintendent search would work, setting key dates, and establishing where and how interviews would take place, among other topics. The Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) was hired to lead the superintendent search.

The current timeline calls for a new superintendent to start on July 1, 2026. To keep the public updated on the search, the district has created a dedicated webpage for Superintendent Search Information. The page already includes a detailed timeline of the process.

The timeline starts with gathering input from Feb. 2 to 16 on what district stakeholders would like to see in the next superintendent. An online survey will be available in English, Arabic and Spanish for parents, staff, residents, local officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders to offer input. [See above website for link to survey.]

Michigan Leadership Institute will also hold a series of stakeholder meetings on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 with different groups, including employees, local government officials, union representatives and others. Public meetings for parents and community members will be held on Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The morning meeting will be in the team room at William Ford Elementary School, 14749 Alber St., Dearborn, and the evening meeting is scheduled at the Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette St., Dearborn. Those who attend the meetings will talk about characteristics for the future superintendent as well as information about Dearborn Public Schools that should be included in a job posting. Both meetings will have Arabic and Spanish interpreters available. American Sign Language will be available at the evening session.

MLI will use the feedback from the community to draft a job posting recruiting applicants wanting to become superintendent. The Board of Education has asked that ads be placed nationally, but MLI cautioned trustees that most applicants will probably already have ties of some sort to Michigan. Michigan requires a license for school administrators. Someone from out-of-state could still start the position as long as they work to become licensed within a few years.