The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Girbach lands top post
Board to offer superintendent post to second in command
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2008
The Milan Board of Education will ink a contract with a new superintendent that will promote from within the school district's ranks a successor to Dennis McComb.
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The board liked what it heard when, during a 90-minute interview, Assistant Superintendent Bryan Girbach said: "I have the benefit of knowing how Milan works and understand the Milan way."
Girbach was the lone candidate interviewed for the district's top leadership position.
Despite a set time frame that called for a decision later in April, the board decided at the end of Girbach's interview March 27 to take steps toward crafting a superintendent's contract with Girbach. The board is expected to officially hire Girbach Wednesday. He would step into the role July 1.
"I was impressed by his ability to reflect on things," Trustee Mary Mehringer said at the end of the interview. "He was direct, yet thoughtful."
Several board members said the interview validated their belief that Girbach was particularly well-suited to be Milan's next superintendent.
"I found myself feeling kind of lucky that we have him," said Trustee Eric Peacock. "I think he's a very good candidate. He will be able to hit the ground running."
"I think he was open and honest," said Board President Dawn Allstetter. "This (interview) validated what I thought."
After conducting an external search for candidates through the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, Girbach, who has been with the district for 16 years, was the only candidate out of 15 applicants selected by the school board to interview. Board members said they compared Girbach to the other applicants and found none who had advantages outweighing Girbach's qualifications.
Girbach fielded 18 questions from the board and more than a half dozen from the more than 25 people in attendance.
Among other issues, he was questioned about what characteristics he looks for when hiring staff; his experience in attracting grants and forging relationships with area businesses; how he viewed a superintendent's relationship with the school board; his stance on school of choice; and about his personal and professionals priorities.
Girbach painted himself as a collaborative leader who worked to make decisions based on sound data.
"I like to build consensus with staff before a decision is made," he said. "You can't force change on people. You need to lead them into change."
As superintendent, he would not micromanage the district, he said.
"I have to make sure we hire the right people to do the job they're hired to do and let them do it," he said. "I need to be there to be the guiding light to them."
Girbach said he would make a concerted effort to engage non-parent community members in the district, proposing a quarterly newsletter and encouraging direct communication with them.
"I think it's important in a community like Milan to involve the local businesses," said Girbach, who is also president of the Milan Rotary Club. "It's important to talk to people. You have to let them know what's going in the district."
Girbach began his career with Milan Area Schools as a high school math teacher in 1992 after graduating from Eastern Michigan University. In 1997, he became an assistant principal at the middle school, rising to principal two years later. In 2005, he was appointed assistant superintendent and was seen by many to be groomed as McComb's handpicked successor.
Asked to identify his professional heroes, Girbach choked up when answering his mother, a teacher for 30 years who is the reason he went into education. He also named McComb and Mike Flanagan, the current state school superintendent.
At the conclusion of his interview, Girbach intimated in his closing remarks that he hoped to lead the district for many years.
"Milan is my home," he said. "This is where I want to be. I would love to see my children graduate from Milan."
He added, "Longevity should not be equated with complacency. I will never be complacent no matter how long I might serve as superintendent."
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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