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Superintendent Search

On July 18, 2024, after five first-round candidate interviews, the Lake Orion Community Schools Board of Education voted 7-0 to enter negotiations with LOCS Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Heidi Mercer as the district’s next superintendent.

“The Board of Education extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the candidates who participated in the recent interviews,” LOCS Board of Education President Danielle Bresett said. “Your dedication to public education was evident, and we greatly appreciate the passion and enthusiasm you displayed. We are thrilled to announce that, with a unanimous vote, the Board of Education has entered contract negotiations with Heidi Mercer to serve as the next Superintendent of Lake Orion Community Schools. We eagerly anticipate working with Heidi in her new role and are confident that she will lead Lake Orion with vision, dedication, and excellence.”

Former Superintendent Ben Kirby completed his tenure on June 30, 2024, leaving for Forest Hills School District.

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Adam Weldon served as the interim superintendent until Mercer was selected.

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Superintendent Search interviews

Superintendent Search Timeline

Previous

  • August 7 Heidi Mercer's contract is approved by the Board of Education, beginning her tenure as the LOCS Superintendent 
  • July 18 LOCS Board of Education votes 7-0 to enter negotiation with Heidi Mercer to become next Superintendent. 
  • July 17-18 LOCS Board of Education conducts first-round interviews with five candidates:
    • Catherine Kochanski, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
    • Meghan Ashkanani, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, Berkley School District
    • Heidi Mercer, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Lake Orion Community Schools
    • Kenneth Janczarek, Superintendent, Clintondale Community Schools
    • Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills Schools
  • June 25 LOCS Board of Education met to discuss candidate profiles and determine offers to candidates for first-round interviews. Five candidates were selected for interviews.
  • June 12 LOCS Board of Education approves Adam Weldon, current LOCS Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, as the interim Superintendent beginning July 1
  • June 6 LOCS Board of Education meeting to receive stakeholder feedback and finalize job posting
  • May 15-16 Stakeholder Input Meetings, Online Feedback
  • May 6 Special Board Meeting - Board of Education met with Michigan Association of School Boards representative Shawn Lewis-Lakin about next steps in the process. 
  • April 29 LOCS Board of Education special meeting where the Board selected Michigan Association of School Boards as its Superintendent Search firm. 
  • April 4 Request For Proposals Issued 
  • April 3 LOCS Board of Education special meeting where the Request for Proposal to hire a Superintendent search firm was be presented and approved.
  • March 21 LOCS Board of Education special meeting to discuss Superintendent Search next steps
  • March 20 LOCS Board of Education announces anticipated departure of Ben Kirby, opening of Superintendent Search process

(Updated July 18, 2024)