Farmington Public School administrators will interview three Detroit subway administrators next week in their search for a new district superintendent.

The finalists include:

• Dr. Chris Delgado, Assistant Superintendent, Walled Lake Schools
• Dr. Amy Kruppe, Superintendent, Hazel Park School District
• Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools, Detroit Public Schools

Dr. Kelly Coffin, Deputy District Superintendent for Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, and Dr. Stephen Bigelow, Superintendent of Bay City Public Schools, also applied.

Directors spent two nights asking questions on topics such as board relations, budget, contract negotiations, and dealing with diversity and fairness. While the questions remained consistent in the first round, officials will have more leeway from May 11 to 13.

Everyone praised the quality of the pool of candidates.

“Obviously, all of our candidates are highly qualified,” said Trustee Cheryl Blau. “We need to find the ideal solution for our community at this precise moment.”

The finalists who stood out, administrators said, knew the district and its data, spoke about transparency and community involvement, had experience bringing the voice of students to the table, and insisted on building relationships with the board of directors and in the district.

All of the administrators voted for Delgado, who lives in the neighborhood. He spoke about the success of the Walled Lake contract negotiations, the opportunity for student social justice groups to speak up, and the personalization of teaching using lessons from the pandemic.

Kruppe, a public school administrator for 30 years, obtained six votes. She spoke of leading two districts out of financial woes and associated Hazel Park’s struggles with diversity, drawing parallels with the Farmington Fairness Audit.

Five directors voted for Rudolph, citing his comments on healing relationships and his long-term interest in the job. He called working with others and building relationships as his greatest strengths and used zero-based budgeting to solve budget deficits.

The finalists will tour the neighborhood ahead of next week’s interviews and create a presentation based on an educational topic. Candidates will virtually meet with a focus group.

Learn more on the neighborhood website.

Watch the interviews:

May 5

May 6