BHS superintendent search down to two finalists

The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education, at a special July 20 meeting, passed a motion to advance two finalists to a second round of interviews to be held at a later date to be determined in September.

The board had originally interviewed five candidates, narrowing the field down to Dr. Roy Bishop and Dr. Ernesto Matias or a second round of interviews. Originally the second round of interviews were scheduled for Tuesday, July 25, and Wednesday, July 26, but were rescheduled, with the date to be determined in September.

Bishop is currently deputy superintendent for educational services, Grosse Pointe Public School System. Prior to that appointment, he was principal at Mason Elementary for five years in Grosse Pointe, and assistant principal/athletic director for Birmingham Public Schools for three years before that, according to his LinkedIn profile. He is a resident of Southfield.

Matias is former chief education officer, Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield, Illinois. He stated on his LinkedIn profile, “From a want-to- be gang-member to the higher levels of education. I believe that dreams can come true. Growing up in Humboldt Park, Chicago in the 1970's was not a walk in the park. We lived in a gang infected community. In my family over 12 of us landed in prison including both of my brothers...a volunteer mentor believed in me as a person which influence who I am today. I am an educational leader who grew up in the streets who was given a chance to become somebody. My adventure took me to North East Montana for the remaining three years of high school and beyond. I owe a debt to society to become the best educator I can to reach as many students as I can with the message of HOPE!”

The second round interviews will include student, staff and community engagement opportunities.