Two school superintendent finalists drop out

By Lisa Brody

The Bloomfield Hills Schools (BHS) Board of Education announced at a special study session on Thursday, August 10, that both finalists the board had selected to replace superintendent Pat Watson had withdrawn their applications for candidacy.

At their July 20, special meeting, the BHS board of education passed a motion to advance two finalists, Dr. Roy Bishop and Dr. Ernesto Matias, to a second round of interviews to be held at a later date to be determined in September. They were selected out of a field of five candidates the board had selected to interview for the position.

Watson retired effective July 30, 2023, following a period of turmoil in the district. In mid July the school board named longtime education administrator Randy Liepa as interim superintendent as them board continued its search for a permanent superintendent.

Bishop is currently deputy superintendent for educational services, Grosse Pointe Public School System. Matias is former chief education officer, Illinois State Board of Education, Springfield, Illinois.

According to an email sent by the board the evening of August 10, the board said at their special study session they discussed its continued search for a district superintendent.

“The board will continue to update the community as they work with Michigan Leadership Institute Regional President, John Silveri, to search for a new superintendent that will best serve the district.”

On July 13, the board named Randy Liepa, PhD, as acting superintendent of Bloomfield Hills Schools, who then became interim superintendent of the district effective August 1. He is scheduled to remain interim superintendent until a new superintendent is hired or October 30, 2023, whichever comes first, according to the Bloomfield Hills school board.